SBP #5?: Michelob Light

I can't really believe I'm doing this...

The guys at A-B sent me samples of the new all-malt Michelobs: Mich, Mich Light, and Amber Bock. I already tried the Mich (and liked it; see below in "Throw Out the Lifeline"), but...Mich Light? Hey, what the hell. It's not likely to be actually offensive, right? Let's have a pour.

It's well-behaved, and looks good in a glass; and like the Michelob, the foam looks a lot better than the other light/mainstream beers I've seen lately. B'God, I can actually sense hop off the foam, too. Heh. Not bad, actually, and not too far off the Michelob flavor: light, clean and malty -- no, really, and an actual snap of bitterness on the finish. And it's so much better than Ultra, believe me on that, too. Best of all, at 4.3% ABV, it's definitely session strength, eh?

Summation: is this going to be my first choice? No. I like more flavor, even in light lagers, and this may be clean, but it's not brimming with character. But if this is served to me, will I turn it down? No way. Michelob Light's got enough stuff to keep the conversation going. I'd be curious to try it against other light beers, including Sam Adams Light.

And I'd point out that a 25% difference in calories between this and Michelob doesn't really seem like that big a deal...but that's the scam with every light beer. 123 calories? All things being equal -- and they are -- I'd rather have a dry stout. (And on March 2nd...I will.)