On Jan. 27, Anheuser-Busch announced the debut of Bud Light NEXT, its first ever zero-carb beer for the company, with the message to consumers that it is the beginning of a “new era” for the Bud Light brand.
“As Bud Light enters 2022, we are pushing the beer category to new heights with the launch of Bud Light NEXT, our first-ever zero carb beer,” said Andy Goeler, vice president of marketing for Bud Light, in the press release. “Today’s consumers are all about breaking barriers, being trailblazers and setting their own path. We are proud to introduce this new super crisp beer which is brewed to meet their evolving taste preferences; it’s a truly symbolic innovation that celebrates the barrier breakers who like us embrace possibility.”
What’s in Bud Light NEXT? The new extension boasts not only zero carbs, but also 80 calories, and 4 percent ABV. (In comparison, the original Bud Light has six grams of carbs, 110 calories, and 4.2 percent ABV.) The ingredients in the carb-free beer are water and rice like the original, but using malt for the alcohol and natural flavors — omitting key ingredients in the beer-making process like barley and hops, straddling the line between beer and hard seltzer.
Anheuser-Busch is already pushing major advertising for the new brand. While the product will be hitting shelves next week, it will also be taking center stage at the Super Bowl on Feb. 13 as one of six products Anheuser-Busch has chosen to advertise.
“Ten years in the making, Anheuser-Busch’s first-ever super crisp, zero-carb beer is brewed with the tradition and legacy of Bud Light, but created for today’s consumers who have long desired a beer that breaks the barriers of a traditional lager and offers the sessionability and stats of a seltzer,” stated the Anheuser-Busch press release revealing their Super Bowl line-up. “For its first-ever Super Bowl ad, Bud Light NEXT will demonstrate what’s possible when there’s zero in the way.
Bud Light Next is currently available for purchase online in 12-packs of 12-ounce cans for $15.99. It will be available in stores beginning Feb. 7.
Bud Light N3XT Collection Details
Not only is Anheuser-Busch touting new liquid innovations, but socio-technological ones as well. Alongside the release of Bud Light NEXT, Bud Light is launching its first-ever NFT series, the “Bud Light N3XT Collection.”
The collection will feature 12,722 unique tokens that use the color scheme from the Bud Light NEXT campaign. Those who purchase one of these NFTs will be able to vote on Bud Light NEXT merchandise, get access to brand and partner events, “and other surprises.”
“As we usher in a new era of beer with the launch of Bud Light NEXT, we’re simultaneously seeing a revolutionary shift in the way brands engage with people on the internet,” Corey Brown, sr. digital director for Bud Light said. “Our NFT project celebrates this new era and those who similarly are breaking barriers in technology and creativity.”
While this may be the first NFT for the Bud Light brand, Anheuser-Busch has already entered Web3. In late November, Budweiser had its first drop of “Heritage Can” NFTs that look like vintage Bud cans, sold at $499 each.
The Bud Light N3XT NFTs will be on sale Feb. 6 for $399 per token.
