Yuengling Flight Vs Michelob Ultra | Which One Is The Better Beer?

While Yuengling Flight and Michelob Ultra have a lot in common, there are some important differences that set these two light beers apart. So, how are they different, and which one is the better beer?

Yuengling Flight and Michelob Ultra are very similar in terms of alcohol content and calories. Both have an ABV (Alcohol By Volume) of 4.2% and 95 calories per 12 oz serving. The main difference between these two light beers is the taste and mouthfeel. Yuengling Flight has a light, thin, and grassy taste, whereas Michelob Ultra has more of a malty corn-like flavor. Compared to Michelob Ultra, Yuengling Flight is also less bitter and has less carbonation.

In terms of which beer is better, well, that obviously depends on your personal preference when it comes to drinking light beer. In the rest of this article, we will look at the key differences between these two light beers in terms of flavor, mouthfeel, reviews, and even brewing locations.

Yuengling Flight Vs Michelob Ultra: Flavor

Yuengling Flight and Michelob Ultra are both light lagers with their distinct flavors deriving from their unique ingredient combinations. Yuengling Flight is crafted with caramel malts, cluster and cascade hops, barley malt, and some cereals and their derivatives, giving it a slightly grassy taste. Despite its rich ingredient list, its flavor lacks pronounced character due to its very low bitterness level.

In contrast, Michelob Ultra incorporates water, rice, barley malt, hops, yeast, and barley products, resulting in a maltier, corn-like taste. Yuengling Flight’s bitterness, gauged at 5 IBUs, is extremely low when compared to Michelob Ultra’s average 10.2 IBUs. Consequently, while Yuengling Flight offers a light taste with an almost imperceptible aftertaste, both beers avoid the unpleasant aftertastes commonly found in some inexpensive beers, making them preferable choices for many.

Yuengling Flight Vs Michelob Ultra: Mouthfeel

Yuengling Flight and Michelob Ultra differ in terms of carbonation and bitterness. Yuengling Flight has moderate carbonation offering a light fizz sensation but has a notably low bitterness level, making it have less character compared to other beers.

In contrast, Michelob Ultra possesses high carbonation, producing a significant amount of bubbles and fizz upon opening, and has higher bitterness levels, making it less smooth to drink than Yuengling Flight. For those seeking a milder drink with less character, Yuengling Flight is recommended, while those desiring a beverage with more fizz and bitterness might prefer Michelob Ultra.

Yuengling Flight Vs Michelob Ultra: Smell

While the smell is not the first thing you think of when choosing a beer, it does have a notable impact on one’s enjoyment of a beer. Yuengling Flight has a light, flowery, and grainy smell. Michelob Ultra, on the other hand, has strong smells of barley grains with a hint of citrus.

Yuengling Flight Vs Michelob Ultra: Alcohol Volume

Both Yuengling Flight and Michelob Ultra have an ABV of 4.2%. This strength is typical of light beers. The lower alcohol volume is one of the key factors that help keep the calories in light beers relatively low.

Yuengling Flight Vs Michelob Ultra: Calories

Just like the alcohol content of these beers, the caloric content is also identical. Both Yuengling Flight and Michelob Ultra have 95 calories per 12 oz serving. This low caloric content is typical of light lagers.

Light lagers are brewed to provide a refreshing taste with a lower calorie count, making them a favorite among calorie-conscious people. Regular lagers, on the other hand, typically have anywhere from 140 to 200 calories per 12 oz serving. Although the difference might not seem like a lot, it can certainly add once you’ve had a few.

Yuengling Flight Vs Michelob Ultra: Reviews

Having looked through all the top beer review websites, here is how Yuengling Flight and Michelob Ultra Compare:

Platform	Michelob Ultra	Yuengling Flight
Beer Advocate	4.8	7.6
Ratebeer	5.0	5.3
Untappd	5.0	6.4
Drizly	8.0	8.0
Average score	5.7	6.8

As you can see, Yuengling Flight is the preferred option for the vast majority. After compiling this list, Michelob Ultra came up short with an average score of 5.7 whereas Yuengling Flight had an average score of 6.8.

Although this tells you what most people think, you might not be like most people. Be sure to try both beers for yourself and see which one you prefer.

Yuengling Flight Vs Michelob Ultra: Brewing Locations

Yuengling Flight is from D.G. Yuengling & Son in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, which is known as America’s oldest brewery. Operating since 1829, the unique mineral-rich waters of Pennsylvania’s coal region play an integral role in crafting Yuengling’s distinct flavors.

Michelob Ultra, on the other hand, is a flagship product of Anheuser-Busch. While the company’s origins trace back to St. Louis, Missouri, near the Mississippi River’s enriching waters, Anheuser-Busch has multiple brewing locations across the U.S. Despite various water sources, the company maintains Michelob Ultra’s consistent taste throughout. Both breweries take pride in their historic roots, and their brewing locations undoubtedly contribute to the beers’ unique characters.

Wrapping Up

Yuengling Flight and Michelob Ultra, though sharing similarities in alcohol content and calories, stand apart in flavor profile, mouthfeel, aroma, and even public perception. While Yuengling Flight offers a grassier flavor with moderate carbonation and a gentle aromatic bouquet, Michelob Ultra leans towards a maltier essence, marked by pronounced carbonation and a barley-forward aroma. Feedback from top beer review platforms seems to lean in favor of Yuengling Flight, though not by a significant margin. So, be sure to try both for yourself and see which you prefer.