Steel Reserve High Gravity was introduced in 1994 by McKenzie River Corporation of San Francisco, California and bought up by SAB/Miller in 2001. Due to US and state government regulations that do not allow beer to be sold with an alcohol level above about 5%, Steel Reserve is often not referred to as beer, but "lager."
Interestingly, while in Britain strong beers are sold as ESB (extra-strong beer), in the USA they
are marketed as "malt liquor," "ale," or "lager." But those are really just other words for various
beer styles. So, have no doubt, it IS beer. Steel Reserve is sold in varying alcohol levels. In
Louisiana the 6% alcohol version is available, while the 8.1% version in more common nationally.
This product can be found at most any store that sells beer and is sold in a number of containers
and packages: 12 oz., 16 oz., and 24 oz. cans, and 18 oz., 22 oz. and 40 oz. bottles, although I've
never seen it sold in traditional 12 oz. bottles. Another version, Steel Reserve 211 Triple
Export is also sold in a few select areas of the country with a black label. This beer has the exact same specifications has the normal Steel Reserve, however. Miller says Steel Reserve High Gravity is "slow-brewed with extra barley and select hops, giving it an exceptionally smooth taste." I have tried this product from time to time over the past decade and "smooth" was never one of the attributes I associated with Steel Reserve. "Harsh" or "unforgiving" might have been terms I would have used to describe it. But, I must say, this beer does grow on the drinker over time, and now I rather enjoy having one every so often. The regular beer drinker will probably find
it hard to take, while the light beer drinker will probably have trouble even swallowing it, but I still recommend it to those seeking to expand their beer-drinking horizons. I you have patience and an iron will, you may eventually become a fan of Steel Reserve.
Interestingly, while in Britain strong beers are sold as ESB (extra-strong beer), in the USA they
are marketed as "malt liquor," "ale," or "lager." But those are really just other words for various
beer styles. So, have no doubt, it IS beer. Steel Reserve is sold in varying alcohol levels. In
Louisiana the 6% alcohol version is available, while the 8.1% version in more common nationally.
This product can be found at most any store that sells beer and is sold in a number of containers
and packages: 12 oz., 16 oz., and 24 oz. cans, and 18 oz., 22 oz. and 40 oz. bottles, although I've
never seen it sold in traditional 12 oz. bottles. Another version, Steel Reserve 211 Triple
Export is also sold in a few select areas of the country with a black label. This beer has the exact same specifications has the normal Steel Reserve, however. Miller says Steel Reserve High Gravity is "slow-brewed with extra barley and select hops, giving it an exceptionally smooth taste." I have tried this product from time to time over the past decade and "smooth" was never one of the attributes I associated with Steel Reserve. "Harsh" or "unforgiving" might have been terms I would have used to describe it. But, I must say, this beer does grow on the drinker over time, and now I rather enjoy having one every so often. The regular beer drinker will probably find
it hard to take, while the light beer drinker will probably have trouble even swallowing it, but I still recommend it to those seeking to expand their beer-drinking horizons. I you have patience and an iron will, you may eventually become a fan of Steel Reserve.
Steel Reserve 211 won a gold medal at the 2008 Great American Beer Festival and a bronze medal at the 2009 World Beer Cup.
A NOTE: It is recommended that this beer not be drunk from the bottle, as the clear glass may
allow light to spoil it.
allow light to spoil it.
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