Thursday, April 21, 2011

Pabst Blue Ribbon

First Brewed: 1844
Brewery Location: Originally Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States; now based in Woodridge, Illinois, United States
ABV: 4.74%

History & Availability: What, am I a hipster now? PBR was actually most popular back in the late '70s, making the recent hipster revival a little less surprising. While Pabst claims that the "Blue Ribbon" branding comes from being named "America's Best" beer at some expo in Chicago in 1893, reports surrounding the event are conflicting at best. It's probably better to take this one at face value and not think too hard about it.

Appearance: Ever-so-slightly more golden than the average golden lager, PBR has little carbonation, but oddly has one of those marshmallow fluff heads that only dissipates after you look away. A real pain for playing drinking games with because of this tendency (who wants to de-foam 14+ cups, anyway?), even though (as above) that seems to be the main attraction of this beer. One the initial pour dies down, a few bubbles make their way lazily to the surface here and there, keeping the slightest of heads present in the mug.

Smell: Back to the good old rusty metal. More of a nickel than a copper or iron this time. PBR is another beer that intelligently keeps its aromatic profile low in favor of not scaring off potential consumers. There's a little hint of corn behind the metal, but that's probably only because I'm really straining to find something else here.

Taste: Up front, the taste isn't really all that bad. Not particularly bitter, and it's got the taste of fresh-cut grass and a hint of corn playing around your tongue. The aftertaste leaves a little something to be desired, with a rather wet residue and little to none of the crisp, hoppy notes that allow other higher-end American goldens to stay clean.

Mouthfeel: Mid-weight (i.e., heavy for the style) and wet. This is not a beer that dances around, staying active as you savor the flavor in your mouth. This is a beer that you pour directly down your gullet, or a beer that you hold at your own peril. By the way, don't let it warm up. That's not pleasant.

Drinkability: I feel like a whale after two pints. It's probably because I am a whale, but the noticeably heavier body of PBR compared to its peers certainly doesn't help. If you have a huge stomach and don't mind water weight, the flavor is certainly inoffensive enough to allow mass drinking.

Overall verdict: B-; much as I hate to say it, one of the best truly cheap beers. I'd definitely take it over Bud/Miller/Coors.

2 comments:

  1. lol "some expo"- I am unsure about what you mean by "reports surrounding the event are conflicted at best."

    1893 Chicago World's Fair was one of the most important World's Fairs and one of the biggest in American history.

    It was very common for products to be introduced to a broad audience at World's Fairs. Like many trade shows - World's Fairs were essentially glorified trade shows - there would be contests to see whose product was "the best." Many products today, such as Campbell's condensed soups, still have the distinction on their labeling that they received at a World's Fair.

    It should say something that Pabst won its distinction next to the premier of AC electricity, the Ferris wheel, the hamburger, Juicy fruit, shredded wheat, Quaker Oats, and spray paint.

    HIPSTER FOR LIFE.

    (Paradoxically, comparing it to all these "firsts" totally mainstreams PBR making it hipster no more.)

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  2. okay. I had to comment again. It was bugging me that it said "1 comments."

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