ATK - Bud-battered fish - really? (moved from Food Media & News)

[GDSinPA]

Was it my imagination, or did America's Test Kitchen - an organization known for methodical taste testing - actually use a can of Budweiser for their fried cod?

Don't ingredients usually make the dish? You'd think they would have taken the time to make note of the differences between the results with good beer vs lousy? I realize beer taste is a matter of opinion, but come on!

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

I just looked at their reasoning for using Bud as the beer... their reasoning for using a lighter colored beer such as American lager is that with stronger beers, the hops dominate the flavor.

[GDSinPA]

I'll buy that, the fish is mild, so a mild beer makes sense. But Budweiser? At least use Sam Adams or something drinkable. Oh well.

[Alcachofa]

I think Sam would have still been too strong. I support their use of "lawn mower" beer. However, I bet PBR would have been better--still not too hoppy, but having a bit more flavor to contribute than Bud.

[rafjr00]

I like using New Castle.

[Withnail42]

Can never go wrong with New Castle.

[andytee]

I'm a severe been snob, and I don't see any problem with this. For a beer batter, almost any beer will do, and mild flavor is probably better so as not to overpower the fish. A pilsner like Bud would do fine, and is probably a better choice than a lot of the hoppy, maltly beers I like to drink.

Only problem with using it I can see is that you end up with 5 others in your kitchen, and no way do I want to drink them.

[uptown jimmy]

Hilarious.

There was a recent article in the NYT describing their being unable to get better results by cooking with really good wines as compared with mediocre ones. Similar thing to using Bud in a batter.

Another thing: maybe I'm mistaken, but I think standard American pilsners are more carbonated than the typical European "real" beer. That would be a good thing when making batters, as it would generate a fluffier, lighter, crunchier crust.

[TongoRad]

I saw that yesterday, and a similar thought crossed my mind. I'm assuming that the dish is properly made with an ale rather than a lager, and probably tastes a lot better too.