One of the Miller Lite Man Laws was something like, “No fruit in the beer.” What about vegetables?

A little bit Clamato, a little Bud, some shellfish and clams... yum!

Hailing from the Midwest of the U.S.A., I can honestly say that this was a combination I thought I would never see on the liquor store shelf. However, I do enjoy an occasional Bloody Mary – especially as Hair of the Dog, and I have heard that beer and tomato juice is the original Bloody Mary, so why not give this a try.

One of the first things that caught my attention was the color. Pink? Maybe more like the color of what I regurgitate after too many Bloody Marys. Anyway, the can says that it's “natural flavors” and “certified color.” I guess that's another way of saying “artificial”? Certified? Damn, that's creative writing.

A little history according to the Bud camp:

Latinos, specifically those of Mexican descent, have been mixing beer with Clamato for decades. Budweiser & Clamato Chelada and Bud Light & Clamato Chelada honor that tradition by combining Anheuser-Busch’s classic American-style lagers with the spicy, invigorating taste of Clamato Tomato Cocktail, made by Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages (CSAB).

Due to their tremendous test market success, adults across the country are clamoring to enjoy this convenient, great-tasting drink. “This is a recipe that combines cultures and flavors,” said Ana Vitrano, product manager, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. “Budweiser, Bud Light and Clamato are all highly respected brands that, when combined, produce the authentic-tasting recipe many Latinos love. It’s la combinación perfecta!”

The name Chelada is a shortened form of the Spanish word michelada which loosely translates to ‘my cold beer.’ To order Budweiser or Bud Light & Clamato Chelada, one might say: “Una michelada con clamato, por favor.” To shorten that but still keep the beer recognizable as the traditional recipe, Anheuser-Busch focused on the name Chelada.

I think this is going to be one of those “you love it or you hate it” type of things. Personally, it was a perfect opportunity to test my gag reflexes. But, don't let stop you from giving it a try.

Sir Bowie of Greenbriar