Dead Shellfish Ale

Published on Monday, March 2, 2009, by James Norton / Edit Post

What’s new? What’s great? What’s weird? Our columnist samples offerings from supermarket aisles and fast-food menus.

Dead Shellfish Ale

Budweiser & Clamato Chelada

By: Anheuser-Busch
I Paid: $2.29 for a 24-ounce can
(prices may vary by region)

Taste: 1stars

Marketing: 4stars


James Norton edits the Upper Midwestern food journal Heavy Table. He's also the coauthor of a book on Wisconsin's master cheesemakers. For his Supertaster column, he samples offerings from supermarket aisles and fast-food menus. You can follow him on Twitter and fan him on Facebook. His wife, Becca Dilley, takes the photographs for Supertaster. She specializes in weddings and food photography, and is the coauthor of and photographer for the book on Wisconsin's master cheesemakers.

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POST A COMMENT |24 Comments

COMMENT

  • James Norton, you are adorable and hilarious. I love your videos!!

  • I think the critical thing to keep in mind here is he is not reviewing the concept of mixing beer with clam and tomato juice, he is reviewing Budweiser specific interpretation of this popular drink. I have had a proper beer and Clamato as well as beer with fresh bloody mary mix and clam juice and both are wonderfully refreshing and tasty when walking the streets of New Orleans (I must admit the...+READ

    I think the critical thing to keep in mind here is he is not reviewing the concept of mixing beer with clam and tomato juice, he is reviewing Budweiser specific interpretation of this popular drink. I have had a proper beer and Clamato as well as beer with fresh bloody mary mix and clam juice and both are wonderfully refreshing and tasty when walking the streets of New Orleans (I must admit the second version with a high quality, spicy, mary mix was far superior).

    I have not doubt, however, that Budweiser is as cheap and careless about this beverage as they are about the rest of their lineup. Before we bash him for the ewws and complaints of foul smells, we need to crack open a can of "budweiser & clamato chelada" in specific.....and not presume he'd have the same response to a properly made version of this drink.-COLLAPSE

  • This is the first video I have watched of this guy....won't be watching again...the douche factor is too high. This is actually a quite tasty mix and I'm guessing this guy doesn't like Clamato at all. He is overly dramatic and is one of those "clams taste like dirty seawater." I am not saying this is the best beer in the world. But if you like MILLIONS like Budweiser and you like millions like...+READ

    This is the first video I have watched of this guy....won't be watching again...the douche factor is too high. This is actually a quite tasty mix and I'm guessing this guy doesn't like Clamato at all. He is overly dramatic and is one of those "clams taste like dirty seawater." I am not saying this is the best beer in the world. But if you like MILLIONS like Budweiser and you like millions like Clamato....you are gonna love this. Many folks don't care for the "red eye" and many folks love it. That aside the whole girly over dramatic eeewwwws were annoying so I won't be trusting this guy to taste anything for me.-COLLAPSE

  • beer and clamatto juice is a big thing in alberta and saskatchewan in western canada....don't ask me why? though the beer choice is usually kokanee....

  • I agree with "MonkeyRotica" It is way better with your beer choice and the amount of clamato juice too. with a hint of hot sauce!!! MMMMMmmmmmmmm Tasty!!! I love it!!!!

  • what would you do if you couldnt find clamato? um how about buy tomato juice and a bottle of clam juice. I use clam juice in my bloody marrys. I dont like mixing with beer I like my bloody's thick spicy and salty. mmmmm dirty bloody marry made with jalapeno stuffed olived and pepper vodka make be a happy boy

  • My initial reaction to mixing beer and Clamato was "NO thank you",
    but it was my friend's favorite so occasionally i would try it again.
    Soon i acquired a taste for it - then i had to buy my own Clamato for myself.
    Now i MUST have it! I mix it with Pacifico - my beer of choice even "BC" - before Clamato. It smooths out the carbonation and adds a hit of sweetness. Also makes it slightly more...+READ

    My initial reaction to mixing beer and Clamato was "NO thank you",
    but it was my friend's favorite so occasionally i would try it again.
    Soon i acquired a taste for it - then i had to buy my own Clamato for myself.
    Now i MUST have it! I mix it with Pacifico - my beer of choice even "BC" - before Clamato. It smooths out the carbonation and adds a hit of sweetness. Also makes it slightly more filling.
    Best to mix it to your own proportions, as i find i use less Camato now - it tends to overpower the beer.
    What?? no Clamato in Brazil? i'm going there for 3 weeks - what am i gonna do? Plain tomato juice just ISN'T the same! So don't even bother...-COLLAPSE

  • I make something similar with Miller High Life, V8 High Fiber Tomato Juice, lime juice, salt, and Frank's Hot Sauce. It's my go-to post-lawn-mowing drink. Filling, with a slight buzz, and the spiciness cuts the beer aftertaste. I'll have to give this a try.

    And FYI, if you douse Miller with lots of lime and salt, it's practically indistinguishable from Corona, but a fraction of the price.

  • While I do not know if I would like this particular drink, I think it probably is better if you mix it up yourself(using better beer probably wouldn't hurt either!).

  • i first tried this on a trip out to salton sea, and it hit the spot so amazingly it wasnt even funny (and it was in april, so it wasnt even that hot yet). where i live, in the burbs of NYC, people out here i dont think are familiar w/ these drinks, so i always feel like a pain ordering them...

  • I had the same reaction to the sniff test. I still shudder.
    The taste was foul at first, but I forced myself to drink it all. The clam was more an odor than an actual taste. After a while it had a questionable sweetness to it and it took a while to pinpoint what it was similar to. I finally came to the realization it tasted exactly like a Zima (that clear malt alco-pop beverage) mixed with a V8.
    ...+READ

    I had the same reaction to the sniff test. I still shudder.
    The taste was foul at first, but I forced myself to drink it all. The clam was more an odor than an actual taste. After a while it had a questionable sweetness to it and it took a while to pinpoint what it was similar to. I finally came to the realization it tasted exactly like a Zima (that clear malt alco-pop beverage) mixed with a V8.
    Would I buy it again? Sure, but only to make someone else try it and watch their expression...-COLLAPSE

  • I like my drinks like I like my women: bloody, cheap, and full of clams.

    ...So yeah, I make them with pacifico, clamato, a squeeze of lime juice, a few drips of tiger hot sauce, and rimmed in salt and lime. I like to call them Poor Mary's, though, as they are generally cheaper than bloody's at the bar.
    And well, tis a poor girl that fits my prior description.

  • I like my drinks like I like my women: bloody, cheap, and full of clams.

    ...So yeah, I make them with pacifico, clamato, a squeeze of lime juice, a few drips of tiger hot sauce, and rimmed in salt and lime. I like to call them Poor Mary's, though, as they are generally cheaper than bloody's at the bar.
    And well, tis a poor girl that fits my prior description.

  • My dad also always drank beer with Clamato (we're Cuban, but I believe he picked it up from Central and South American friends over the years). I agree with mizdizzy that the reaction in this video was a little severe... but then again, he did say at the end that you should give it a whirl -- just with better beer than Bud. I must respectfully agree with that!

    On a recent trip to Cozumel we...+READ

    My dad also always drank beer with Clamato (we're Cuban, but I believe he picked it up from Central and South American friends over the years). I agree with mizdizzy that the reaction in this video was a little severe... but then again, he did say at the end that you should give it a whirl -- just with better beer than Bud. I must respectfully agree with that!

    On a recent trip to Cozumel we enjoyed Micheladas (light beer and lots of lime juice, rimmed with salt) and Ojo Rojos (the bartender's version of a red eye which took the chelada and added tomato juice, hooked up with dashes of tabasco, worcestershire, and a drop or two of soy sauce... we'd have these rimmed with a mixture of salt and chile rojo). IMHO a far better choice for lounging in the sun or grilling out than the sugary, syrupy drinks most of the other folks at the resort were downing.-COLLAPSE

  • I grew up with my father drinking his Budweiser and a can of Clamato juice. I would watch him mix his drink very carefully. He loved them so! Now that I am of legal age to drink, I drink this drink now. I am hispanic so some cultures have different drinks that others don't agree on. I felt like the way he introduced and reacted to this drink was very wrong. He didn't like it so move on and let...+READ

    I grew up with my father drinking his Budweiser and a can of Clamato juice. I would watch him mix his drink very carefully. He loved them so! Now that I am of legal age to drink, I drink this drink now. I am hispanic so some cultures have different drinks that others don't agree on. I felt like the way he introduced and reacted to this drink was very wrong. He didn't like it so move on and let others try it, instead of scarying people not to try new drinks. You will never know what you'll like untill you try it...... ;)-COLLAPSE

  • Wow my bloodymary fell in the ocean was rescued by Bud.. Intresting concept, I"ll look for it in stores for now I;m going clammin" chow

  • When they first came out I said "wow, that's neat", bought 2 cans. The other can is still on the shelf, been over 2 years.

  • Budweiser would happily point out this is a Dead Shellfish Lager, not ale...whatever.

    If you think this ones bad, they also make a Bud Light version.

  • I feel for you Jim- but it's definitely a step above Energia - a short lived clamato based energy drink!

  • I've had and I like it a lot. It has a nice light and fizzy clam and tomato flavor like a low-octane bloody. I bring them tailgating and camping. I'll agree that most people are turned off by the concept and henceforth find the taste vile, but if you're not squeamish about the mix they're really very good. Not something to drink all day, but as an eye-opener it's pretty nice.

  • I must have Mexican blood in me. I live and die for this stuff. It is the shellfish that makes it "Rule". I must be crazy but I am 4 months without it now living in Brazil and long for it.

  • This is hilarious. I have actually had both a Red Eye and a Chelada during a trip to Mexico. It was vile, but I did finish them. Tasted like a Bloody Mary with a beer poured in.

  • I only had to smell this stuff to have the same reaction James had. I REALLY loathe Budweiser and clams and could not imagine anyone voluntarily drinking this. EWWWWWW!

  • In Canada Clamato is very popular in Caesers (bloody marys with clam) and in red eyes (usually Coors light and clam). But I really do not like it.