Bud, short for Budweiser, is an American beer produced by Anheuser-Busch, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV. Budweiser is a 5% ABV lager introduced in 1876 and has become one of the best-selling beers in the United States. Bud Light, a lower-calorie version of Budweiser, is the best-selling beer in the US and one of the most popular worldwide. Bud Heavy, a slang term for a true Budweiser beer, has gained popularity in recent years, especially among those who view Bud Light negatively due to its enormous popularity.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Full Form | Budweiser Beer |
Other Full Forms | Buddy, Bud Heavy, Bud Diesel |
ABV | 5.0% |
Calories | 110 calories per 12 US fl oz (355 mL) serving (1,300 kJ/L) |
Brand Owner | Anheuser-Busch |
Brand Owner's Parent Company | Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
What You'll Learn
Bud is short for Budweiser
Over the years, Budweiser has released various variations of its beer, including Budweiser Select, Budweiser Zero (non-alcoholic), Bud Light, and Bud Ice, among others. Bud Light, in particular, has gained immense popularity and become the best-selling beer brand in the United States and worldwide.
The term "Bud Heavy" is also commonly used to refer to Budweiser specifically. This phrase gained popularity as a tongue-in-cheek way to distinguish between Bud Light drinkers and those who prefer the traditional Budweiser, implying a level of sophistication or preference for a "full-strength beer."
In certain countries, the term "BUD" or "Bud" can also refer to a different beer produced by the Budweiser Budvar Brewery in the Czech Republic. However, in the context of American beer culture, "Bud" is predominantly associated with Budweiser.
Beer Before Refrigeration: Ancient Drinking Habits Explored
You may want to see also
Bud Heavy is a hardcore term for Budweiser
Bud Heavy is a colloquial term for Budweiser, the "true" Budweiser beer. The term was first defined in 2006 on Urban Dictionary as "an expression for a regular Budweiser for the hardcore kid". Bud Heavy is used to distinguish the beer from Bud Light, which is one of the best-selling and most popular beer brands in the United States and worldwide.
The term Bud Heavy is often used to specify that the drinker wants the "full-strength" Budweiser beer, which has a higher alcohol content than Bud Light. In 2019, Utah changed its liquor laws, allowing breweries to produce beers with an ABV above 3.2%, which had previously been the limit. This change led to Budweiser advertisements promoting the return of "full-strength beer" in the state.
The phrase has gained popularity across the United States, especially as the craft beer movement has inspired drinkers to pay more attention to what they are consuming. Bud Heavy is often used in a tongue-in-cheek manner, suggesting that the drinker considers themselves "better than Bud Light".
While the exact origins of the phrase are unclear, it has become relatively universal, with people from all walks of life using the term to refer to Budweiser. Some beer enthusiasts and professionals believe that Budweiser should embrace the term Bud Heavy to boost the brand's sales and reputation.
Drinking Beer Post-Appendix Surgery: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Bud Light is a low-calorie version of Budweiser
"Bud" is a slang term for "friend", "cannabis", and "clitoris". It is also an abbreviation for Budweiser Beer. Budweiser is a staple on American liquor store shelves, with its light, malty taste fuelling backyard BBQs and game-day parties. Bud Light is a low-calorie version of Budweiser, with 110 calories per can compared to Budweiser's 145. Bud Light also has a lower ABV of 4.2% compared to Budweiser's 5.0%.
Bud Light was created in the 1980s when Budweiser's parent company experienced a financial boom. It is made from the same ingredients as Budweiser—water, malted barley, rice, yeast, and hops—but with a slightly different ratio, resulting in a lighter version. While Budweiser has a delicate, crisp flavour with malty notes, Bud Light offers a "lighter" alternative with the "same great taste".
The term "Bud Heavy" is sometimes used to refer to a "true" Budweiser beer, in contrast to the lighter version. This phrase is often used tongue-in-cheek to indicate a preference for Budweiser over Bud Light. Bud Light is the best-selling beer brand in the United States and one of the most beloved in the world. In 2019, it shipped 27.2 million barrels of beer and controlled 13.24% of the US market share, while Budweiser shipped 10.6 million barrels and controlled 5.14%.
The popularity of Bud Light can be attributed to savvy marketing tactics employed by its parent company, Anheuser-Busch InBev, which acquired Budweiser in 2008. Anheuser-Busch InBev has created various options to cater to different consumer preferences, such as Bud Light Platinum, which includes artificial sweeteners, and Budweiser Zero, a sugar-free option with 50 calories and 0% ABV.
Old Beer: Safe to Drink or Not?
You may want to see also
Bud Select is Budweiser's lightest beer
When people refer to "drinking a bud", they are usually referring to Budweiser, an American beer produced by Anheuser-Busch. Bud Light is the best-selling and one of the most beloved beer brands in the United States, and the term "Bud Heavy" is sometimes used to refer to a "true" Budweiser beer. Bud Select, or Budweiser Select, is a light lager produced by Anheuser-Busch, with 4.3% ABV and 99 calories per 12 US fl oz serving. It is marketed as a low-calorie option for health-conscious drinkers and has a crisp, smooth finish. Bud Select is brewed with two-row and roasted caramel malt, and a blend of hand-selected premium American and Bavarian hops for balance and flavour. It spends approximately twice as long as regular beers in the brewhouse, resulting in lower carbohydrate and calorie content after fermentation.
Bud Select has received mixed reviews, with some drinkers praising it as the best light beer on the market, while others criticise its bland flavour. It has a higher ABV and more flavour than its flagship Budweiser, and some drinkers detect a stronger beechwood flavour and some grain flavour. Bud Select is priced between Michelob and Bud Light, and its taste is considered superior to both. It is also considered to be superior to Michelob Ultra and Natural Light.
Anheuser-Busch has aggressively promoted Bud Select, with the slogan "The Real Deal" and even hiring Jay-Z as a spokesman for the brand. The company also launched a 55-calorie version of Bud Select, which it claims is the lightest beer in the world. This version has just 2.4% ABV, and its reduced calorie content is achieved by lowering the fermentables. Bud Select 55 was launched alongside Miller's MGD 64, which also has a reduced calorie content.
Chickens and Beer: A Curious Friendship
You may want to see also
Bud is also slang for cannabis
"Bud" is a colloquial term for cannabis, specifically referring to the dried bud portion of the cannabis plant. This is sometimes called the flower or nuggets. Bud is usually smoked in a pipe, a bong, or rolled up in paper like a cigarette (known as a joint or blunt).
The use of "bud" as slang for cannabis may be due to the prohibition of the substance in many places around the world. As a result, people needed to obscure their references to cannabis to hide the fact that they consumed, grew, or sold it. These code words then needed to evolve over time as they became well-known by authorities.
There are now over 1,200 slang names for the dried leaves and flowers harvested from the cannabis plant. Some other popular nicknames for cannabis include weed, ganja, grass, dope, dro, Mary Jane, trees, gauge, jive, reefer, hash, and pakalolo (Hawaiian for "crazy tobacco").
The use of "bud" as slang for cannabis should not be confused with its use as an abbreviation for Budweiser beer.
Beer Drinking: Recommended Daily Pint Limit
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
"Bud Heavy" is a slang term for a Budweiser beer. It is also sometimes called "Bud Diesel".
Bud Light is a kind of beer. "Bud" is short for "Budweiser", which is one of the most popular American beers.
Budweiser is a 5.0% ABV lager, whereas Bud Light is a low-calorie light lager with 4.2% ABV.