The beer of the future? MailOnline tastes one of the world’s first beers designed by AI
It seems that ChatGPT’s usefulness knows no bounds, as even brewers are using the tool to create new beer.
German brand Beck’s is one of a number of companies that have turned to the smart AI chatbot to create a futuristic drink called Beck’s Autonomous.
ChatGPT not only came up with the recipe for the beer, but also the packaging, name, advertising campaign and even a design for the beer’s website.
Beck’s is the first commercial brewery to work with ChatGPT, although other independent breweries in North America have already done the same.
MailOnline tried out Beck’s Autonomous to see how it compares to the brand’s flagship.
Every detail was created with the online AI tool ChatGPT, from the recipe to the packaging, the name and the advertising campaign. Beck’s Autonomous came in a beautiful box that provided a surprise when opened
MailOnline tried out Beck’s Autonomous to see how it compares to the brand’s flagship (left)
Beck’s had ChatGPT come up with the beer in celebration of 150 years since its founding in the German city of Bremen in 1873, although the brewing was actually done by humans.
Beck’s says: ‘150 years of innovation needed a celebration that matched our pioneering spirit.
“That’s why every decision in making this beer, from recipe to marketing, was made by AI.”
Beck’s keeps the recipe secret, although we do know that it contains the four essential components that make a beer a beer: water, grain, hops and yeast.
Beck’s also revealed to MailOnline that the new beer is an ale, meaning it uses top-fermenting yeast.
A limited batch of 150 units has already been delivered to tasters for free, and the company will study the feedback before deciding whether to release it more widely for the public to enjoy.
After weeks of waiting for the limited edition beer, Beck’s Autonomous arrived in a beautiful box, sealed with special tape and decorated with a futuristic label.
It contains the slogan that ChatGPT also came up with: ‘The beer that made itself.’
What I didn’t expect was that the box started talking to me in a robotic voice as soon as I opened it, accompanied by a green flashing light.
After weeks of waiting for the limited edition beer, Beck’s Autonomous arrived in a beautiful box, sealed with special tape and decorated with a futuristic label
Beck’s had ChatGPT invent the beer to celebrate 150 years since its founding in the German city of Bremen in 1873, although humans brewed it
Like a scene at the beginning of a particularly strange Black Mirror episode, the voice said, “Beck’s gave full control of their anniversary beer to AI to celebrate 150 years of pioneering.”
‘That’s how I was created and now I’m here to give you a taste of the future.
‘I’m Beck’s Autonoom and I say: cheers!’
It turns out the box is embedded with a sensor that activates speech when it detects light – so the welcome message sounds every time the box is opened, as long as it’s dark.
Once I got over the shock of a talking cardboard box, I pulled out the 250ml metal can containing the precious liquid.
The can was covered in a strangely thick layer of black material that felt a bit like hard rubber, like the exoskeleton of a robot, worthy of The Terminator.
To be honest, it looked more like a can of Lynx Africa than something you would drink out of.
Additionally, the exoskeleton of the can made pouring quite difficult, so I spilled some on the table (and with the glass bottle of Beck’s flagship lager I had no such problems).
The two beers looked noticeably different: the standard Beck’s was golden in color, while the AI beer was a lighter and paler straw color.
The 250 ml can is fixed in the talk box, which flashes green when you open it
The two beers were noticeably different in appearance: the standard Beck’s was golden in color, while the AI beer had a lighter and paler straw color
Beck’s Autonomous also poured with a much larger head, which research shows is a good thing because it enhances flavor.
As many regular beer drinkers will agree, Beck’s flagship lager is not the most challenging and delicious beer on the market.
It has a smooth malty sweetness with little to no bitterness, making it a drinkable and therefore popular option for British pub goers.
To my delight, I discovered that Beck’s Autonomous was a completely different story (or in this case, I should say, wort).
It was much hoppier – like a bitter or an English pale ale – and I suspect ChatGPT’s recipe contained more than one variety of hops.
There was also a slight sourness – a plus as I love the trendy sour beers that are increasingly taking over the taps in Britain’s hipster beer bars.
Beck’s Autonomous was certainly the winner, although admittedly the two beers are of very different styles and will likely target different consumers.
Beck’s Autonomous (right) was hoppier than its German counterpart
All over the packaging is the slogan that ChatGPT also came up with: ‘The beer that made itself’
It’s kudos to Beck’s Autonomous, which may or may not get a wider public release
I’d like to see the AI beer on supermarket shelves soon, although I dread to think what the price tag would be if Beck’s decided to sell it through the electronic device.
Beck’s Autonomous is not the first ChatGPT beer; that title goes to Atwater Brewery in Detroit, which serves its Artificial Intelligence IPA in its pump houses.
It contains three types of malt and no less than eight types of hops to give it a bitter touch, including Centennial, Citra and Amarillo.
Whistle Buoy Brewing Company, in Victoria, British Columbia, also used the tool to come up with a recipe for a “hazy pale ale, airy and tropical.”
MailOnline tastes wine from bizarre flat containers that promise to reduce carbon footprint – so do they live up to their glass equivalents?
Wine lovers may have been concerned when they heard this week that the round glass wine bottle could be a thing of the past.
British retailer The Wine Society claims a new flat plastic bottle makes wine easier to transport, significantly reducing the company’s carbon footprint.
The new packaging is lighter – 63 grams each compared to an average of 460 grams for a glass bottle – and can be stacked like a set of books during transport.
The Wine Society claims its new ‘flat’ wine bottles are easier to transport, reducing the company’s carbon footprint, but without compromising taste. They are made of plastic instead of glass, but does this affect the taste? MailOnline finds out
But instead of glass, the bottles are made of rPET – a recycled form of polyethylene terephthalate, which is commonly used to make soft drink bottles.
Does rPET packaging make wine taste like plastic? MailOnline bravely conducted thorough taste tests in the name of science to find out.
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