The beer of the future? MailOnline tastes one of the world’s first beers developed by AI

It seems that the usefulness of ChatGPT knows no bounds, as even brewers are using the tool to create new beer.

German brand Beck’s is one of several companies that have resorted to the clever AI chatbot to create a futuristic drink called Beck’s Autonomous.

ChatGPT not only came up with the recipe for the lager, but also the packaging, the name, the advertising campaign and even a design for the beer’s website.

Beck’s is the first commercial brewery to partner with ChatGPT, although other independent breweries in North America have done the same.

MailOnline tried Beck’s Autonomous to see how it compares to the brand’s flagship lager.

Every detail was created using the online AI tool ChatGPT, from the recipe to the packaging, the name and the advertising campaign. Beck’s Autonomous came in a stylish box that was a surprise when opened

MailOnline tried Beck’s Autonomous to see how it compares to the brand’s flagship lager (left)

Beck commissioned ChatGPT to develop the beer to celebrate 150 years since its founding in the German city of Bremen in 1873, although people actually brewed the beer.

Beck’s says: “150 years of innovation needed a celebration that reflected our pioneering spirit.”

“That’s why every decision in making this beer, from recipe to marketing, was made by AI.”

Beck’s is keeping the recipe secret, although we know it contains the four essential ingredients that make a beer a beer – water, grains, hops and yeast.

Beck’s also revealed to MailOnline that the new beer is a lager, meaning it uses bottom-fermenting yeast.

A limited edition of 150 units has already been delivered free to tasters and the company will review feedback before deciding whether to release it to a wider audience.

After weeks of waiting for the limited edition beer, Beck’s Autonomous arrived in a stylish box sealed with special tape and decorated with a futuristic label.

On it is the slogan that ChatGPT also came up with: “The beer that made itself.”

What I didn’t expect was that the box started speaking 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 stylish box sealed with special tape and decorated with a futuristic label

Beck’s commissioned ChatGPT to develop the beer to celebrate 150 years since its founding in the German city of Bremen in 1873, although it was brewed by humans

As in a scene at the beginning of a particularly strange Black Mirror episode, the voice said: “Beck’s has handed over complete control of their anniversary beer to AI to celebrate 150 years of pioneering work.”

“That’s how I was brought into being and now I’m here to give you a taste of what’s to come.”

“I’m Beck’s Autonomous and I say: Cheers!”

It turns out that there is a sensor built into the box that triggers the announcement as soon as it detects light – so the welcome message sounds every time the box is opened, as long as it is dark.

After getting 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 strange, bulky layer of black material that felt a little 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 from.

Additionally, the can’s exoskeleton made it difficult to pour, so I spilled some on the table (and I had no such problems with the glass bottle of Beck’s flagship beer).

The two lagers differed significantly in appearance – the standard Beck’s was golden, while the AI ​​beer was a lighter and paler straw color.

The 250ml can is fixed in the talking box, which flashes green when opened

The two beers differed significantly in appearance – the standard Beck’s was golden, while the AI ​​beer was a lighter and paler straw color

Beck’s Autonomous is also poured with a much larger head, which research shows is a good thing as it helps develop the flavor.

As many regular beer drinkers will agree, Beck’s flagship beer is not the most sophisticated or delicious beer on the market.

It has a gentle 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 is a whole different topic (or in this case, I should say, spice).

It was much hoppier – like a bitter beer or an English pale ale – and I suspect ChatGPT’s recipe contained more than one type of hop.

There was also a slight acidity – a plus as I love the trendy sour beers that are increasingly hitting the taps in Britain’s hipster beer bars.

Beck’s Autonomous was certainly the winner, although admittedly the two beers have very different styles and will likely appeal to different consumers.

Beck’s Autonomous (right) was hoppier than its counterpart from the German company. Both beers are lagers, meaning they both use bottom-fermenting yeast when brewing

The slogan that ChatGPT also came up with is written all over the packaging: “The beer that made itself.”

That’s a thumbs up for Beck’s Autonomous, which may or may not receive a wider public release

I’d like to see the AI ​​beer on supermarket shelves soon, although I can’t imagine what the price would be if Beck’s decided to sell it in the electronic device.

Beck’s Autonomous isn’t the first ChatGPT beer – that title goes to Atwater Brewery in Detroit, which pours its artificial intelligence IPA in its pumphouses.

It contains three types of malt and a whopping eight types of hops that give it a bitter note, including Centennial, Citra and Amarillo.

Whistle Buoy Brewing Company in Victoria, British Columbia also used the tool to develop a recipe for a “cloudy, pale ale, fluffy and tropical.”

MailOnline tastes wine from bizarre shallow containers that promise to reduce carbon footprint – so do they live up to their glass equivalents?

Wine lovers may have been worried 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 will make it easier to transport wine, significantly reducing the company’s carbon footprint.

The new packaging is lighter – 63g each compared to an average of 460g for a glass bottle – and can be stacked like a set of books for 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 and not glass – but does that affect the taste? MailOnline finds out

However, instead of glass, the bottles are made from rPET – a recycled form of polyethylene terephthalate that is often used to make soft drink bottles.

So does the rPET packaging make the wine taste like plastic? To find out, MailOnline bravely conducted thorough taste tests in the name of science.

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