Piels

Piels Draft Style Premium Beer, a regional lager, available only in the North Atlantic States,
was introduced in 1883 in Brooklyn, New York, by Gottfried, Michael, and Wilhelm Piel,
who preferred the soft water available on Long Island.  Due to intensive national
competition, with which Piels Brewing was unable to compete, the firm sold out to
Associated Brewing of Detroit in 1963.  The brand is now a Pabst Brewing Company
product.  This brand receives absolutely no advertising attention, Pabst being satisfied to
allow it to exist as a tiny niche brand with a small, but loyal, following.  Piels does maintain
a website, however, which provides basic information on the beer.  Piels is sold in 12 oz.
and 16 oz. cans and in 40 oz. bottles, but it is unknown (to me) if it is available in any other
configuration at present.  Also, a Piels Light beer is also sold (from information provided by
the Pabst Brewing Company to myself).

A simple beer, with 4.65% alcohol, Piels describes itself as follows:  "Piels introduction of
Real Draft in cans was a milestone in brewing history.  Today's Draft Style still offers that
same unsurpassed tap beer flavor.  Piels is the choice for beer lovers who come back for
more."  For whatever reason, the present Piels is NOT a draft beer, unlike the product of
the 1970s, which was unpasteurized and needed "no refrigeration until ready to use."
Currently, the beer is pasteurized, and therefore, only "draft style," whatever that is
supposed to mean, and not a true draft beer.

On the two occasions that I was able to acquire the beer (1996 and 2010), I found it to
be a delicious product, and well worth a try.