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.

Schmidt Beer

Schmidt Beer was established in 1884 in Minneapolis, Minnesota by Jacob Schmidt.  This
brand existed as an independent northern regional brand until bought out in 1955.  Today,
it remains a Pabst product and is sold only in select markets in the North.  This beer is
made with ordinary ingredients, and it has a stereotypical American-style lager taste profile.
Schmidt is sold in 12 oz. cans and bottles and in 16 oz. cans.  A noted Schmidt tradition is
the wildlife-oriented can, bottle, and packaging motif.  Schmidt is marketed towards
outdoors-men, who enjoy a solid, yet basic beer to have on a fishing or hunting excursion. 

If one is able to pick up some Schmidt, it will be a pleasant acquisition.  This writer has
always enjoyed a frothy glass of this fine beer.

Stag Beer

Stag Beer (5.2% alcohol) was introduced by the Gintz family's Western Brewing Company in
1907, as a reformulated replacement for Kaiser Beer.  The Gintz's began brewing in the St.
Louis area in 1851.  Other Western Brewing brands of the early 1900s were Buffet Extra
Bottle Beer and Pilsner Keg Beer.  The Griesedieck family, of Falstaff fame, assumed control
of Western in 1912, and introduced the premium Continental brand.  In 1978, the G.
Heileman Brewing Company acquired the Stag brand, and since 1999 it has been a Pabst
Brewing Company product. 

Although essentially unknown elsewhere, Stag is quite popular in the southern Illinois and
eastern Missouri region.  It is quite prominently displayed in most grocery stores and other
business that sell beer.  And, today, with the trend among youngsters of drinking old-line beers,
it has made a comeback of sorts.  Stag is commonly found in 6 or 12-packs of 12 oz. cans or
bottles.  It is sold at the below-premium level.

Brewed from "common ingredients with an uncommon taste" is how the brand's website
describes this basic, yet full-bodied beer.  "Steak, Taters, and Gravy.  That's Stag."

 

In 2012, a new Stag Ice (5.9%) beer was introduced.

National Bohemian Beer

National Bohemian Beer was established in 1885 by the National Brewing Company of Baltimore, Maryland.  Since 1999 it has been a  Pabst product.  Sold in the Baltimore area (it has never been a nationwide product), it is known for its winking Mr. Boh character featured on all cans and bottles.  National Bohemian (Natty Boh to the locals) has a 4.28% alcohol rating.  Another variant, National Bohemian Ice (sold as Boh Ice) has a 5.8% alcohol rating.  The most well known National Brewing product, Colt 45 malt liquor, sold nation-wide, is also today a Pabst product.  This beer is well loved in the Baltimore area, and is somewhat of a home-town legend in those parts.  It is widely available in cans, bottles, and on tap.  It is sold wherever beer is available at the value-priced level.  Bohemian-style beer, or Pilsner (today also known as Czech beer) was developed by Bohemian Germans in the 1800s with new the laagering techniques, and marketed as the "world's first golden beer."  Beer drinkers will find Natty Boh to be a pleasant, round American beer.

Colt 45 Malt Liquor

Colt 45 Malt Liquor (5.61% alcohol) was introduced by National Brewing of Baltimore in 1963.
It was the second national malt liquor (extra-strong beer) brand made in the USA, the first being
Country Club Malt Liquor.  It has been a Pabst product since 1999.  According to the Colt 45
website, this beer was named after Baltimore Colts running back Jerry Hill (number 45).  For the
last quarter decade Colt 45 has received no national television, radio, or print advertising attention.
Originally, Colt 45 was marketed as an adventurous beer, targeted towards upper-middle-class
whites.  At some point in the 1970s, the beer began to be pushed in urban, black areas, and it's
advertising reflected this trend, with Billy D. Williams touting, "Colt 45...works every time."  Since
about 2005, the brand has become something of a phenomenon among, white, urban hipsters,
and now the marketing seems to be focused on this demographic to a significant extent. 

Availability is nationwide, and Colt 45 is sold in 12 oz., 16 oz., and 24 oz. cans and in 7 oz. (New
York City), 12 oz., 22 oz., 32 oz., and 40 oz. bottles.  Besides the iconic malt liquor brand, Colt
45 lager beer, Colt 45 Double Malt (with a heavier body), and Colt 45 High Gravity Lager
(8.5% alcohol) are also sold.  These variants are regionally available.  All of these brands are tasty
and enjoyable, but I would recommend NOT drinking Colt 45 from the bottle, as the clear glass
may allow light to spoil the product.  The can is the safe bet.

In 2011, Colt 45 Blast, a flavored, high-alcohol malt liquor line, was launched.

Old Milwaukee

Old Milwaukee (4.6% alcohol) was introduced in 1955 by Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company as
the below-premium brand companion to the premium-priced Schlitz. It reached its popularity
peak in the late 1980s and early 1990s with the Swedish bikini team television ad promotions.
In the early 1990s, Old Milwaukee Light 3.9% alcohol) was added, and in the mid-1990s Old
Milwaukee Ice (5.9% alcohol) was brought on line (this OM version is sold only in cans, while
the other two may also be found in bottles). Old Milwaukee has been a Pabst brand since
1999. It is sold in 12 oz., 16 oz., and 24 oz. cans and in 12 oz., 22 oz., 32 oz., and 40 oz.
bottles. Old Milwaukee has a stereotypical beer aroma and taste, and it holds its own against
other major brands. Interestingly, Old Milwaukee beer is one of the most heavily awarded
beers made in the USA, most recently winning the gold medal in 2003 and 2004 at the Great
American Beer Festival for American-style lager. Old Milwaukee Light won gold for light
beers in 2006-2008 at the Great American Beer Festival and The World Beer Cup. Presently,
this beer line receives no television, radio, or print advertising attention, but it is a steady

seller.  As Old Milwaukee Ice is only sold regionally, I have not had the opportunity to try that
particular OM variant.  I highly recommend giving this beer line a try.

Schlitz Malt Liquor

Schlitz Malt Liquor was introduced by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company in 1965.  It has
been a Pabst Brewing Company brand since 1999.  Initially marketed towards upper-class
whites, today's fan base for the product tends to be urban, lower-income consumers.  Over
the years, the Schlitz Malt Liquor line has been enhanced with the addition of three other
variations.  Schlitz Malt Liquor (called OML- Original Malt Liquor) has 5.9% alcohol and is
brewed with "an impressive portfolio of six hop varieties."  In 1985 the Schlitz Red Bull Malt
Liquor (called XL- Extra Long), also with 5.9% alcohol was introduced. In response to the
1990s ice beer phenomenon, Schlitz Bull Ice (called IML- Ice Malt Liquor) was rolled out.
As the website says, "Bull Ice makes no pretense at subtlety.  Alcohol is its friend at 8.2%."
The most recent line addition, Schlitz VSL (Very Smooth Lager) High Gravity Lager, at 8.5%,
is the strongest of the group.  As the company says, "Elevated alcohol and charcoal filtration
combine to establish a beer with unprecedented smoothness, yet undeniable impact.  Don't
let your guard down while enjoying the satisfying and smooth taste of this Very Smooth Lager."

The Schlitz Malt Liquor line receives no television, radio, or print advertising attention, yet it has
maintained a loyal following.  Until the mid-1980s, however, Schlitz Malt Liquor did enjoy a
regular rotation on tv, especially during sporting events.

These beers are usually sold in 16 oz. cans, but can be found in 12 oz. and 24 oz cans and in
12 oz. (for Schlitz OML), 22 oz., 32 oz., and 40 oz. bottles.  I would recommend giving these
a try.