Beer balls were a novelty product that enjoyed a few decades of popularity in the United States and beyond. Marketed as The Party Ball by Bud and Coors, these plastic containers held around 5 gallons of beer and were perfect for parties and special occasions. Despite their initial success, beer balls eventually declined in popularity due to the rise of more convenient and eco-friendly packaging options, and production challenges. Today, they are no longer widely available, but you may get lucky at auctions, garage sales, or online forums. So, if you're feeling nostalgic for the good old days of beer balls, you might still be able to get your hands on one!
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Description | A large spherical container for beer |
Capacity | 5 gallons or more |
Composition | Plastic, stainless steel, or aluminum |
Accessories | Spigot and hose system, carbon dioxide injection kit |
Use | Parties, events, tailgates, weddings, etc. |
Availability | Online, retail stores, specialty suppliers, auctions, garage sales, forums |
Price | Around $16-$30 |
What You'll Learn
- Beer balls are large plastic containers that hold 5 gallons or more of beer
- They are still sold but not as widely available as they were in the past
- Beer balls were a novelty product with a following for a few decades
- They are found online, at certain supermarkets, and at traditional beverage stores
- The last beer balls were sold in 2007 by Coors
Beer balls are large plastic containers that hold 5 gallons or more of beer
Beer balls typically have a capacity of 1/3 of a standard beer keg, or about 55 cups of beer. They usually come with a tap system and a hose that allows the beer to be dispensed into glasses, pitchers, or cups without wasting any. The tap is often a cheap black pump with a spear-like tube that you stab through a port in the ball. Beer balls can be made of durable plastic, stainless steel, or aluminum, and they often have a handle on the side so they can be easily carried. They often feature humorous labels and can be found in retail stores, online, or through specialty suppliers.
The introduction of beer balls is often credited to the F.X. Matt (Saranac) Brewing Company, based in Utica, New York, which launched them in 1976. Coors Brewing Company, one of the major American breweries, soon launched its own version, and other beer brewers followed suit. Beer balls were widely available in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s, and they were known for their iconic Silver Bullet branding. They were sold in a cardboard box with a plastic bag, and you would fill the box with ice before adding the beer ball.
While beer balls are not as widely available as they once were, you can still find them online and at certain supermarkets and beverage stores in the United States. They are a great option for large gatherings, backyard BBQs, and gifts for beer enthusiasts.
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They are still sold but not as widely available as they were in the past
Beer balls, or beer party balls, are still sold, but they are not as widely available as they were in the past.
Beer party balls are large plastic containers that hold around 5 gallons of beer, cider, or other beverages. They are popular for people hosting beer-themed parties or events, as they are convenient and can serve large amounts of beer. They are also portable, durable, and easy to move around.
Beer balls were extremely popular in the 1970s, 1980s, and even into the early 2000s. They were known as the life of the party and were commonly found at small parties, college parties, weddings, and other gatherings. They were initially introduced in 1976 by the F.X. Matt (Saranac) Brewing Company, and soon after, other major breweries like Coors Brewing Company, Genesee, and Anheuser-Busch launched their own versions.
However, over time, beer balls began to lose their popularity due to several factors. The rise of more convenient and eco-friendly packaging options, such as aluminum cans and plastic bottles, contributed to their decline. Additionally, the standard keg design remained prevalent for larger events. Beer balls also faced issues with high production costs, limited market appeal, and increasing prices, making them less commercially viable.
Today, while you can still find beer balls, they are not as easy to come by. They are no longer available at regular retailers, but you may get lucky at auctions, garage sales, or online forums where collectors and enthusiasts sell them.
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Beer balls were a novelty product with a following for a few decades
Beer balls, also known as beer party balls, were spherical containers for beer. They were usually made of plastic and could hold up to 5 gallons of beer, or 55 12-ounce beers. They were first introduced in 1976 and were popular in the 1970s and 1980s as a convenient and portable way to serve beer at parties and events.
The F.X. Matt (Saranac) Brewing Company, based in Utica, New York, is credited with the invention of the beer ball, and other major breweries such as Coors and Anheuser-Busch soon followed with their own versions. Beer balls were widely available in the United States and were especially popular during special occasions and among college students.
However, over time, beer balls began to lose their appeal due to the rise of more convenient and eco-friendly packaging options, such as aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Additionally, the standard keg remained prevalent for larger events. The taps for beer balls were also difficult to use and often had to be purchased separately.
As a result, beer balls gradually declined in popularity and became less economically viable for breweries to produce. Today, while you may be able to find them at auctions, garage sales, or online forums, they are no longer widely available.
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They are found online, at certain supermarkets, and at traditional beverage stores
Beer balls are large plastic containers that hold beer or other beverages. They are also known as beer party balls or keg balls. While they are not as widely available as they once were, they can still be found online, at certain supermarkets, and at traditional beverage stores in the United States.
Online retailers, such as budlightpartyball.com, offer a range of beer balls with different features and capacities. Additionally, certain supermarkets in the United States may carry beer balls, although availability may vary by region.
Traditional beverage stores and standalone beer stores are also good places to look for beer balls. These stores often cater to customers looking for large quantities of beer for gatherings or events, making beer balls a popular option.
Beer balls typically have a capacity of 5 gallons or more and are designed to be easy to carry, with a handle on the side. They usually feature a tap system for dispensing the beverage and can be made of durable plastic, stainless steel, or aluminum.
While the original beer balls from the 1970s and 1980s are no longer produced, they have been replaced by similar products with new designs and features. These newer versions can be found through various retailers and suppliers, both online and in physical stores.
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The last beer balls were sold in 2007 by Coors
Beer balls, also known as beer party balls, were spherical containers for beer. They were usually made of plastic and could hold about 55 12-ounce beers or 19.5 liters. They were portable, compact, and easy to use and move around, making them very popular at parties and events.
The F.X. Matt (Saranac) Brewing Company, based in Utica, New York, introduced beer balls in 1976. In a few years, the Coors Brewing Company, one of the major American breweries, launched its own version. The Coors beer balls were widely available in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s and featured the iconic "Silver Bullet" branding.
Despite their initial success, beer balls began to decline in popularity over time due to the rise of more convenient and eco-friendly packaging options, such as aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Additionally, the standard keg design remained prevalent for larger events. Beer balls also faced issues with high prices, low sales, and the taps being difficult to use. As a result, they became commercially unviable, and the last beer balls were sold by Coors in 2007.
While original beer balls are no longer available at retailers, they can still be found at auctions, garage sales, or online forums, where they are popular among collectors and beer enthusiasts.
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Frequently asked questions
A beer ball is a large plastic container that holds up to 5 gallons of beer, cider, or other beverages. It has a tap system for easy dispensing and is perfect for parties or large gatherings.
Beer balls can be purchased from retail stores, online retailers, or specialty suppliers. They are also available at certain supermarkets in the United States, as well as traditional beverage stores and standalone beer stores.
Beer balls were very popular in the 1970s and 1980s but have since declined in popularity due to the rise of more convenient and eco-friendly packaging options. They are now considered a novelty item, but can still be found and purchased, especially by collectors and enthusiasts.