Michelob Ultra 25OZ

Michelob Ultra 25OZ is a cold-filtered American light lager with 4.2% ABV, packaged in a 25-ounce can. Brewed by Anheuser-Busch, this beer has become one of the top-selling light lagers in the United States, built on a reputation for low carbohydrate content achieved through a proprietary cold filtration process that strips excess sugars without diluting flavor.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.2%  |  Origin: St. Louis, Missouri, USA  |  Style: American Light Lager  |  Brewer: Anheuser-Busch (AB InBev)

Production & Heritage

Anheuser-Busch, founded in 1852 in St. Louis, Missouri, and now part of the global AB InBev family, introduced Michelob Ultra as a purpose-built low-carbohydrate light lager. The beer is brewed with a base of barley malt and rice, balanced by all-imported hops and fermented with a proprietary pure-cultured yeast strain selected specifically to limit sugar conversion during fermentation. After primary brewing, the beer undergoes a cold filtration step that removes remaining carbohydrates and impurities, resulting in a notably clean, dry profile that distinguishes it from conventional light lagers relying solely on water dilution to reduce calories.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Subtle light citrus leads the nose, followed by faint hints of pale grain and a barely perceptible floral hop note. The overall aromatic impression is restrained and clean, with no heavy malt sweetness.

Taste: The entry is light and crisp, with soft doughy malt and a trace of rice sweetness hitting mid-palate. Hop bitterness remains nearly imperceptible, keeping the profile neutral and easy-drinking. High carbonation drives the beer across the tongue quickly, lending a dry, snappy character that prevents any lingering sweetness.

Finish: Short and dry, with a crisp, slightly bitter close and brisk carbonation that scrubs the palate clean. A faint citrus echo lingers briefly before fading entirely.

How to Drink Michelob Ultra

Serve ice-cold, ideally between 33–40°F, straight from the 25-ounce can or poured into a chilled pilsner glass to showcase its light golden color and lively carbonation. Its neutral, dry profile also makes it a functional base for simple beer cocktails. A Michelada benefits from the clean slate Ultra provides, letting the lime, hot sauce, and Clamato take center stage. A Beer Margarita (Beergarita) pairs its crispness with frozen margarita mix for a low-key warm-weather drink. A Shandy — mixed half-and-half with fresh lemonade — turns the already-light body into a highly refreshing summer cooler.

Best For

• Backyard barbecues and tailgating where a sessionable, low-carb option is preferred
• Post-workout or active-lifestyle occasions when a lighter beer is the goal
• Watching a full game or tournament — the 25-ounce format means fewer trips to the cooler
• Stocking a mixed cooler for guests who want something easy-drinking alongside heavier craft options

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Michelob Ultra taste like? Michelob Ultra tastes clean, light, and dry with subtle pale grain sweetness, very faint citrus character, and a crisp, highly carbonated finish. It is deliberately neutral, designed to refresh rather than challenge the palate.

How does Michelob Ultra compare to Bud Light? Both share a 4.2% ABV, but Michelob Ultra is brewed with a cold filtration process specifically aimed at reducing carbohydrates further, resulting in a drier, thinner body. Bud Light tends to carry slightly more malt sweetness and a marginally fuller mouthfeel by comparison.

Is Michelob Ultra good for people watching their carb intake? Yes — Michelob Ultra's defining selling point is its low carbohydrate count, achieved through controlled fermentation and cold filtration rather than simple water dilution, making it one of the most popular choices among carb-conscious beer drinkers.

Where is Michelob Ultra made? Michelob Ultra is brewed by Anheuser-Busch, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, with production at multiple Anheuser-Busch breweries across the United States to meet nationwide demand.

What foods pair well with Michelob Ultra? Grilled chicken or shrimp skewers pair well because the beer's dry finish cuts through light char and seasoning. Fish tacos with a citrus slaw complement the faint citrus notes in the beer. Garden salads with vinaigrette stay in harmony with the lager's light body. Mild white fish like tilapia or cod work because the beer won't overpower delicate flavors. Fruit-based desserts such as a lemon tart echo the beer's subtle citrus aroma.

What sizes does Michelob Ultra come in? Michelob Ultra is widely available in multiple formats including 12-ounce cans and bottles, 16-ounce cans, the 25-ounce single-serve can featured here, and slim 12-ounce cans in various multipack counts.

Is Michelob Ultra worth the price? Michelob Ultra positions as a mainstream premium light lager, priced slightly above value-tier domestic beers but in line with other national light beer brands. Its appeal is built on the low-carbohydrate proposition, and for consumers prioritizing that attribute, it delivers consistent quality at a competitive price point within the category.

Why Michelob Ultra?

What separates Michelob Ultra from a crowded field of American light lagers is Anheuser-Busch's cold filtration approach, which targets carbohydrate reduction at a process level rather than simply brewing a weaker beer. The result is a lager that maintains 4.2% ABV — identical to its competitors — while delivering a noticeably drier, cleaner body. The 25-ounce can format adds practical value for single-serve occasions, offering more beer per purchase without switching to a multipack. For anyone seeking a reliable, sessionable light lager with a deliberately lean flavor profile, this remains one of the category's benchmarks.