Stroh's Beer

The beginnings of Stroh's beer can be traced back to Detroit, Michigan in 1850 where the Lion Brewery was established by German immigrant, Bernhard Stroh. The Stroh family used the fire brewing method, which utilizes direct flame instead of steam to heat the beer. This supposedly made for a richer, more flavorful beer (due to expense, the fire brewing method was abandoned in 1973). During the Prohibition years, the company produced Stroh's Ice Cream, which is still sold in certain parlors.

In order to keep up in the increasingly competitive beers wars, Stroh pursued an acquisition policy, gobbling up the Goebel Brewing Company in 1964. Later, in 1981, Stroh bought out the struggling F. & M. Schaefer Brewing Company of New York City, and in 1982 the much larger Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company was acquired (along with their staggering debt load). The trend continued with the 1996 purchase of G. Heileman Brewing. However, these expansions did not really help Strohs, and the company continued to fall behind. 1999 saw the Stroh family selling out and unloading their problems onto Pabst Brewing, who continues to hold all Stroh beer brands, except for Mickey's Fine Malt Liquor, the Hamm's line, and Olde English 800 Malt Liquor, which were turned over to Miller Brewing Company that same year as part of the deal. 

Stroh's beer (and Stroh's Light, started in 1973) continue to have small, yet loyal, following, and these beers are positioned at the value price level. Stroh's uses Cascade and Willamette hops, and the brand claims to sport "a craft brew pedigree." While obviously not a craft brew, Stroh's is a solid and respectable beer, in this writer's opinion. I would recommend giving it a try, if you ever see it. Distribution is limited to the Midwest and Mid-South. The brand receives no notable advertising attention.