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Michelob Ultra

Anheuser-Busch
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🌍 United States · American Lager · One of 47 American Lagers in hopIQ

AB InBev's premium light lager — positioned as the active lifestyle beer. Ultra-low carbs, clean grain character and a crisp, dry finish. Michelob Ultra surpassed Bud Light as America's fastest-growing beer brand in the 2020s.

ABV
4.2%
Bitterness
Mild
SRM
golden5
See all American Lager alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Crisp mouthfeel.

A sharp texture drives the beer — a clean, direct pour with room for the palate to fill in.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American Lager.
Malt character
bready
malty
wheat
Fermentation & yeast
clean
Distinctive notes
mineral
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

#6 of 50The Best American LagersFeatured inThe Best American Beers

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Michelob Ultra

Appearance

Michelob Ultra displays a pale, crystalline golden hue that is brilliantly clear and transparent. The white head is minimal and dissipates quickly, typical of the light lager category. Aggressive carbonation is evident through fine, persistent bubbles that create an effervescent visual presentation.

pale goldencrystal clearminimal headhighly carbonated

Aroma

The nose is subtle and restrained, leading with clean grain and soft bread notes characteristic of a well-executed light lager. There is virtually no hop presence, and minimal yeast-derived aromatics, allowing the stripped-down grain character to emerge unobstructed. The overall impression is neutral and approachable rather than complex.

clean grainsoft breadneutralminimal hops

Taste

The palate enters light and crisp with delicate malt sweetness and cereal notes that transition seamlessly into a bone-dry finish. Mid-palate remains clean and smooth with negligible bitterness (10 IBU), allowing the grainy character to dominate without any harsh edges. The ultra-low carbohydrate profile is perceptible in the lean, stripped-down mouthfeel.

lightcrispdrysmooth

Finish

The finish is short, clean, and refreshingly dry with no lingering aftertaste or astringency. The beer maintains its crisp character through the conclusion, delivering the promised refreshment without any cloying sweetness or residual bitterness.

cleandryrefreshing
76
hopIQ score
Aroma
72
Taste
75
Appearance
78
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Michelob Ultra

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein
Recommended for this style

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Michelob Ultra

About American Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Lager?

American Lager is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar American Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same clean, crisp, dry character as Michelob Ultra will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other American Lagers in hopIQ

Explore all American Lager beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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