Budweiser Select 55 24Pk Cans

Budweiser Select 55 24Pk Cans is a 24-pack of 12 oz cans containing Anheuser-Busch's ultra-light lager at 2.4% ABV and just 55 calories per serving. Marketed as the lightest beer in the world, this expression is built entirely around minimal caloric impact rather than flavor complexity, making it a purpose-driven choice for calorie-conscious beer drinkers.

Quick Facts: ABV: 2.4%  |  Origin: Missouri, United States  |  Style: Ultra-Light Lager  |  Brewery: Anheuser-Busch

Production & Heritage

Anheuser-Busch, founded in 1852 in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the largest brewing operations in the world and now operates under the AB InBev umbrella. Budweiser Select 55 is brewed with a combination of black and caramel malts alongside select cereal grains and a blend of imported and domestic hops. The remarkably low 2.4% ABV is the primary mechanism for achieving the 55-calorie count — since alcohol contributes significant calories in beer, reducing it to this level strips the liquid down to its leanest possible form while still technically qualifying as a beer rather than a flavored water or seltzer.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Very faint grain and straw on the nose, with traces of honey malt emerging if the beer warms slightly. The aromatic profile is extremely restrained, as expected from a beer at this ABV.

Taste: The palate enters with a pronounced wateriness that dominates the experience. Mid-palate, subtle notes of honey malt, grass, and baked flour can be detected, though they register more as whispers than defined flavors. A slight grainy sweetness surfaces briefly before fading quickly.

Finish: Very short and clean, with a faint malty quality that dissipates almost immediately. There is virtually no bitterness or lingering hop character.

How to Drink Select 55

This beer is best consumed ice-cold straight from the can or poured into a chilled glass — temperature is critical, as any warmth amplifies the thin body. Given the 2.4% ABV, Select 55 functions as a session-friendly option during long afternoons or active social gatherings. A Michelada works well here, as the tomato juice, lime, and hot sauce provide the flavor intensity the beer lacks on its own. A Beer Margarita (beergarita) pairs the light body with tequila and lime for a low-calorie twist. A simple Shandy with fresh lemonade adds citrus brightness that complements the subtle grain character.

Best For

• Calorie-tracking drinkers who want a beer option under 60 calories
• Extended outdoor activities like tailgating, beach days, or golf where hydration matters
• Designated drivers or social settings where minimal alcohol intake is preferred
• Stocking a cooler for large gatherings where volume and variety are needed

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Budweiser Select 55 taste like? Select 55 is extremely light-bodied with faint notes of honey malt, grass, and baked flour, though the dominant impression is clean, nearly flavorless water with a slight grain sweetness. It is not a beer designed for flavor depth — its purpose is delivering minimal calories in a beer format.

How does Select 55 compare to Miller 64? Budweiser Select 55 undercuts Miller 64 by nine calories per 12-ounce serving (55 vs. 64) and has a lower ABV (2.4% vs. approximately 2.8%). Miller 64 tends to deliver marginally more perceptible flavor due to its slightly higher alcohol and calorie content, but both occupy the ultra-light category and were developed to compete directly with each other.

Is Select 55 good for calorie-conscious drinkers? It is the lowest-calorie widely distributed beer available in the United States at 55 calories per 12-ounce can. For anyone strictly managing caloric intake while still wanting a beer, it is the category benchmark.

Where is Select 55 made? Select 55 is brewed by Anheuser-Busch, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, with production across its network of U.S. brewing facilities.

What foods pair well with Select 55? Spicy wings or hot chicken benefit from the clean, palate-rinsing quality of such a light beer. Grilled shrimp tacos pair naturally with the subtle grain notes. Fresh salads with citrus vinaigrette match the beer's lean profile. Light sushi rolls like cucumber or avocado complement without competing. Pretzels with mustard offer salt and tang that give the beer more context.

What sizes does Select 55 come in? Budweiser Select 55 is commonly available in 12 oz cans sold in various pack sizes, including this 24-pack format, as well as smaller 6-pack and 12-pack configurations.

Is Select 55 worth the price? Select 55 positions as a budget-friendly, mass-market ultra-light beer and is priced accordingly within the domestic light lager tier. Its value proposition is not flavor but function — if 55 calories per beer is the priority, no major competitor matches it.

Why Select 55?

Budweiser Select 55 exists for one clearly defined reason: to be the lightest beer available from a major American brewer. At 55 calories and 2.4% ABV, it holds that distinction without serious competition in national distribution. This is not a beer that rewards contemplation or invites flavor analysis — enthusiast ratings on BeerAdvocate reflect that reality plainly. But for drinkers who have made a deliberate decision to minimize calories while still reaching for a beer rather than a hard seltzer or sparkling water, Select 55 delivers exactly what it promises and nothing more.