All photos courtesy of the author’s sister.
Tom Gates takes on Aneheuser-Busch’s inexplicably popular beverage, The Chelada. Spoiler: He loses.
Here at Nights we’re perpetually obsessed with oddball concoctions and suspicious beverages. Until now, the only thing that had really given my taste buds a run for their money was Scotland’s ultra-popular (and strangely marketed) soda Irn-Bru.
It was with this sense of discovery that I decided to buy a can of Budweiser’s West Coast sensation, a concoction made from beer and Clamato juice. I’d been seeing it in stores since I returned to America this month and was completely puzzled by its seeming success.
Let’s get this right out of the way: The Chelada is by far the most sensationally disgusting drink I have ever had. The aftertaste hung with me for about an hour and its red, runny texture has me fighting back a gag as I type this. My sister tried a sip and backed me up by making a face as if she’d just eaten a pound of goat cheese and pig intestines.
Clamato, for those not from Canada (they’re obsessed), is a mixer made of tomato and clam juice. I’ll say that again. Clamato is a mixer made of tomato and clam juice.
Budweiser has, in this case, mixed Clamato with their patented brew to create this evil can of whoopass. Just really think about it – beer mixed with mollusks. The Chelada’s can even offers a warning, “Contains: Shellfish/Clams”.
I opened the brew and immediately became suspicious of the catsup and beer smell that eminated as the tab popped. It hardly smelled what Budweiser describes, “refreshing” with “spices and a hint of lime”. I smelled Prego tomato sauce, oregano and beer.
The actual downing of the beverage was a comic affair in which I successfully gulped two sips, then relented. I just couldn’t get any more down. Perhaps someone, somewhere loves this drink. I just couldn’t stomach it.
While I can’t endorse this particular beverage, I’d highly recommend that you try it yourself, if for no other reason than to acknowledge that a concept like this could be put into the marketplace. If you’re hungry, Budweiser also recommends that it “pairs well with ceviche, chicken, enchilladas and tamales.”
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21 Comments... join the discussion!
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Um, ok, I’ve only had a sip because of my whole gluten intolerance thing, but I didn’t actually think it was that bad. Sort of reminiscent of a Bloody Mary?
Maybe I didn’t sip enough?
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Mmmm, not gonna lie, totally trying this. Not only am I Canadian, I live in one of the fishing capitals. It just makes sense.
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blech. Sounds absolutely disgusting. Thanks for trying it so I don’t make a drunken mistake and somehow order one.
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I like beer. I like clams. I like tomatoes.
I also like scrambled eggs and peanut butter. But that doesn’t mean I want a Skippy omelette.
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The look on your face says it all. Beer is meant to be a fine amber color not the awful red color that stuff looks like.
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These photos are my favorite part of this article. You always seem unabashedly yourself, Tom. Thanks for making me laugh.
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Sounds disgusting – but funny article. It left me thinking, “Budweiser, WTF?”
Even funnier photos….thanks Tom’s sister!↵ -
Haha, I gotta get defend this drink. Those things are the best! We rock Beer & Clam up in Canada like it’s goin out of style. It all depends on how comfortable you are with clamato. But clamato is 100% one of the best mixers. (Also works as a great hangover cure)
I’m not even sure how Canadians came about doing it, my parents used to drink these when i was just a whipper-snapper, so it’s definitely been around a while. The germans have their beer & coca cola, some other european country has their lemonade and beer, we got clamato & beer. I haven’t seen the budweiser clam&beers on Canadian shelves yet, but some friends brought some back from Minot last summer and we dieseled them like they were going out of style. I’ll admit though that beer&clamato isn’t something you should just set out to get belligerent off, it’s more of a summer patio drinking beer.
If you’re ever mixing your own, look for Motts Clamato Extra spicy, gotta go Extra Spicy or it’s just not the same. You usually go about 2-3 shots of clamato per pint. Never heard of them being called a Chelada thoe, when ordering them I usually just ask for clam&beer.
Good work though on trying them out. I’ve seen many people spit this drink out in disgust. Loved the photos. haha, classic
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Dude that is NASTY!
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Clamato Juice was invented in Canada by Mott’s. Just like the telephone, radio, hockey, basketball and the cure for smallpox. Canadians also won the only war had with the USA. This just goes to prove exactly how smart, inventive and correct in all things Canadians actually are. Brilliant people.
Truth is, drinking Beer and Clam in Canada has lost a lot of it’s popularity for some reason. However, drinking them mixed together has never been the true Canadian tradition. Clam is usually served on the side for afficianadoes.
However, the history of Clamato Juice never began with drinking it with beer at all. A popular steak restaurant in Calgary, Alberta, Canada called Caesar’s invented what likely is the most popular mixed drink in the Country and named it after the restaurant itself. Tomato and Clam Juice was mixed with Vodca in a tall Iced glass with a stick of Celery for garnish. Beets a Bloody Mary by a Country Mile. Today, many people enjoy the same drink, but with Tequila. A Tequila Caesar. Garnishes now include Spiced String Beans or Peppers.
Mott’s Spicy Clamato Juice remains the single best hangover cure in history.
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Amen Doug!
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The chelada & Caesars are very popular in the big sky state: Montana. I went to college in Bozeman & consumed my fair share of both. Beer & Clamato is a fine thing on a hot summer day. Hooray to Budweiser for saving me the time of mixing my own!
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Ohhhhh clamato!
I’m from Vancouver, and it’s true- for reasons I cannot fathom people love their ceasers (vodka, clamato, celery salt, bitters, tobasco and celery garnished with a lime). I’m personally not a fan and the thought of it with beer makes me want to vomit a bit.↵ -
I agree it is disgusting, but the grossest beverage of all time has to be the 50-50 mix of prune brandy and rootbeer schnapps ! It was the drink of choice for the crew of the SS Lost Cause.
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What ever foolish one… it may not be as good as Mexicos but its still a great drink. Seems like some will do anything for attention…
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I mix beer in my Bloody Mary every time I order it. I thought Budwiser stole the recipe from me and added clam juice!! I like it. It is very refreshing.
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Best stuff ever made…..I have a can every evening on the way home
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This drink is very good, but a bit overpriced. If you like a red beer with salt you will like a Chelada. You can make your own with spicy tomato & clam juice ( Kerns is cheaper than Clamato) and any brand of beer. A much better breakfest drink than a Bloody Mary.
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umm this actually quite tasty.
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