Oculto is a new tequila beer from Anheuser-Busch InBev that borrows inspiration from the way spirits are traditionally distilled. The light lager is infused with blue agave and lime but it also gets even more flavor from being aged on tequila barrel staves. In terms of the full flavor, the crossover Mexican-inspired beer has notes that are malty, citrusy and naturally sweet from the inclusion of agave.
As one of the biggest beer companies in the world, this is a bold move to fuse the style of tequila with beer. Although there are other companies that have attempted to merge categories of drinks in the past, the results have often come out quite muddled—Oculto maintains its identity as a beer with an experimental flavor.
Agave-Infused Beer
Oculto's Tequila Beer Takes Inspiration from an Agave-Based Beverage
Trend Themes
1. Tequila-infused Beverages - Innovative combinations of tequila and other beverages, such as beer, could create new and exciting flavor profiles for consumers.
2. Barrel-aged Beer - Expanding the trend of aging beer in different types of barrels, such as tequila barrels, could offer unique and distinctive flavor experiences.
3. Mexican-inspired Beers - With the popularity of Mexican cuisine and drinks, beer companies could capitalize on creating more Mexican-inspired beer flavors to target this market.
Industry Implications
1. Alcoholic Beverages - The alcoholic beverage industry could explore new ways to innovate by blending different categories of drinks together, such as beer and tequila.
2. Craft Beer - Microbreweries and craft beer companies could experiment with aging their beer in tequila barrels to create signature flavors and stand out in a crowded market.
3. Mexican Cuisine - Restaurants focusing on Mexican cuisine could offer a wider variety of Mexican-inspired beers to complement their menus and appeal to their target audience.