I tried Troy Aikman's new low-carb, low-calorie beer in a blind taste test and it tied for my favorite
Anna Medaris Miller
- I tried Troy Aikman's new beer Eight, and compared it to 5 other light beers in a blind taste test.
- I liked it as much as Amstel Light, giving both 9 out 10 for their European, non-fratty taste.
On paper, I'm the target audience for Troy Aikman's new beer, an "elite light lager" called Eight, named for the three-time Super Bowl champ's favorite number.
I exercise daily, eat well, guzzle water, and enjoy toasting to life's special moments with beer, just like Aikman, now a 55-year-old Fox sportscaster.
He told Texas Monthly he created the low-carb, low-calorie cans so health-conscious folks like him don't have to compromise their hard work when they want to celebrate.
In reality, though, I'm a tough sell when it comes to light beer. I love rich oatmeal stouts, super juicy IPAs, and smoothie-esque sours. If you're going to have a beer, my philosophy goes, have a beer.
Still, I wanted to give Aikman's brew — which, for now, is only available in Texas — a shot. I recruited my husband Ryan, who does appreciate the light-beer category, to join me in blind taste-testing Eight alongside five comparable beverages. Here's how it went.
I picked up Coors Light, Miller Lite, Bud Light, Amstel Light, and Michelob Ultra from the bodega.
I looked for beers that had similar calorie counts, carbohydrates, alcohol contents, and styles — ruling out options like spiked seltzers and ciders.
Here's how our options broke down per 12-ounce serving:
- Eight has 90 calories, 2.6 grams of carbohydrates, and a 4% ABV.
- Amstel Light has 95 calories, 5 grams of carbs, and a 3.5% ABV.
- Coors Light has 102 calories, 5 grams of carbs, and a 4.2% ABV.
- Bud Light has 110 calories, 6.6 grams of carbs, and a 4.2% ABV.
- Miller Lite has 96 calories, 3.2 grams of carbs, and a 4.2% ABV.
- Michelob Ultra has 95 calories, 2.6 grams of carbs, and a 4.2% ABV.
From a health perspective, Eight already came out on top with the fewest calories and tied with Michelob Ultra for the fewest carbs.
The all-malt lager is also made with organic grains, and without sugars or fillers.
But in my opinion, it's all a drop in the beer bucket if you're using light beers as Ryan says they're intended: As crushable vehicles for washing down nachos and wings.
To conduct our taste test, Ryan gave me a few ounces of each beer one at a time while concealing their identity. Then, I served him the same way.
While tasting, we each noted what we liked and didn't like about each beer, guessed which one it was, and gave an overall score from 1 to 10.
My first beer turned out to be Miller Lite, which I gave an overall score of 5.
To me, it smelled and tasted like your standard light beer: Something that belongs in a keg at a frat party. I couldn't tell if it was Miller, Bud, or Coors.
When it was Ryan's turn to taste Miller, he mistook it for Coors. "It's pretty flavorless," he said, "but I don't mind flavorless." His score was 7.7.
My next beer was Coors Light, but I didn't know that. I noted that it smelled and tasted less fratty and was more effervescent than the first beer, giving it an overall score of 7. I thought it could be Aikman's Eight.
Ryan had a more negative Coors experience. "It just looks like Michelob Ultra," he said. After another sip: "Yup, not finishing." He slammed it with a 1.3.
My third taste was of Michelob Ultra. I called it "pretty bland in a worse way" than the prior beers, and gave it a score of 3. I correctly guessed the brand.
Again, Ryan's experience was the opposite of mine. He pegged it as Miller or Bud, which he likes, and gave it an 8.8. "I went to school in Wisconsin," he said, "I'm going to get shit if I don't get this right."
Next up was Amstel Light, which stood out taste-wise for its European flare, reminding me of Heineken or Stella. While Amstel is European, I didn't expect it to be so light in color, so I guessed it was Coors and gave it a 9.
Ryan also noticed that this beer had more going on than the others. But while I think that's a good thing, it goes against his s light-beer philosophy. "It lingers around longer than it should," Ryan said. "Don't try to put lipstick on a pig."
He guessed it was Aikman's Eight and gave it a 6.2.
Finally, I unknowingly tasted Eight, noting its richer color, nice carbonation, and flavor that leaned more Euro than frat. I awarded it a 9.
Ryan also thought his sample of Eight was Amstel, and criticized it for trying too hard. He gave it a 4.9.
My last beer was Bud, but I pegged it for Miller and gave it a 6.
Ryan identified his sip of Bud quickly, praising it for "not trying to be something it's not" and giving it a 9.01.
Ultimately, beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder, as they say. I enjoyed Aikman's beverage because it had a perspective. Ryan preferred light beers with less to say.
Come Super Bowl Sunday, we'll agree to disagree — except when it comes to wings versus nachos. The consensus there is: There will be both. Cheers!
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