The Story Of Billy Beer: Still Available After All These Years?

Billy Beer was a brand of beer first brewed in the United States in 1977 by the Falls City Brewing Company. It was promoted by Billy Carter, whose older brother, Jimmy, was then the US president. Despite the beer's short production run, it drew national attention, and its novelty value saw it endorsed by both supporters and detractors of the president. But can you still buy it? Well, it seems that you can. While Billy Beer ceased production in 1978, it is still available on the secondary market, with unopened cans and six-packs appearing on eBay and at antique shows. However, despite the hype in the early '80s, when classified ads offered $1,000 for any unopened six-packs, the beer is not actually rare. In fact, one estimate puts the number of Billy Beer cans made at 2 billion. So, while you can still buy Billy Beer, it won't cost you a fortune.

Billy Beer's history

Billy Beer was first brewed in the United States in July 1977 by the Falls City Brewing Company. It was promoted by Billy Carter, whose older brother, Jimmy Carter, was the then-president of the United States. Billy was known as the "black sheep" of the family, and his Southern-fried buffoon character and over-the-top friendliness provided the perfect counterpoint to his brother's earnest demeanour.

As Billy Carter's star was rising, the fortunes of the venerable Falls City Brewing Company were fading. The small brewer was struggling to compete with national brands, and its latest attempt to win back market share, a light-bodied beer called Drummond Bros., hadn't improved the company's prospects. Desperate not to fade into oblivion, Falls City approached Billy about forming a partnership. Billy agreed to market his own brand of beer, receiving $50,000 a year to license his name and provide promotional services. He also got to pick the beer, choosing the tastiest from a set of test batches brewed by Falls City.

Billy Beer drew national attention when it debuted in November 1977, with supporters and detractors of Jimmy Carter alike rushing out to buy a six-pack of the novelty cans. Each can bore Billy's signature and the promise:

> "I had this beer brewed just for me. It's the best beer I've ever tasted. And I've tasted a lot."

However, Billy wasn't being entirely honest about his beer's smooth taste. Most contemporary drinkers felt that it was apparent that Falls City had put more thought into the marketing plan than the brew itself. Even Billy would later jokingly describe Billy Beer as the reason he quit drinking.

In addition to the beer's poor quality, another problem for the brand was Billy Carter himself. He had a habit of attending promotional events, parroting the company line, and then getting drunk and admitting to reporters that he still drank Pabst Blue Ribbon at home.

In October 1978, less than a year after it started brewing Billy Beer, Falls City announced it was closing. The brewery's president said that the fortunes of Billy Beer "sank with the popularity of the President," but many media sources, including Time, blamed the beer's crummy quality as the true reason for its downfall.

After Billy Beer ceased production, advertisements appeared in newspapers attempting to profit from the perceived rarity of the cans by offering to sell them for several hundred to several thousand dollars each. However, this was a scam, as the cans had been produced in the millions. The real value of a can in 1981 ranged from 50 cents to one dollar.

Despite no longer being produced, Billy Beer continued to appear in popular culture. It was referenced in episodes of The Simpsons, Married With Children, and Daffy Duck's Quackbusters. Over ten songs about Billy Beer were released in the 1970s and early '80s. In 2018, there were plans to build a Billy Beer production facility in North Carolina, but it is unclear if this ever came to fruition.

Billy Beer's taste

Billy Beer was first brewed in the United States in 1977 by the Falls City Brewing Company. It was promoted by Billy Carter, whose older brother Jimmy was the then-president of the United States. Billy Beer was produced by Cold Spring Brewing, West End Brewing, and Pearl Brewing Company.

Billy Beer was a light-bodied beer, with a refreshing and crisp taste. It was marketed as having fewer calories than other beers. The specific hops used in the brewing process were Tettnang and Saaz, and the malts were German Pilsner, Munich Pale 6-row, and Vienna.

Despite the endorsement on each can, which included Billy Carter's signature, it is widely believed that Billy Carter did not actually drink his namesake beer. In fact, it has been reported that he preferred Pabst Blue Ribbon. In addition, many contemporary drinkers felt that the marketing plan was more thought-out than the brew itself, and even Billy Carter himself later joked that Billy Beer was the reason he quit drinking.

While Billy Beer may not have been a success in terms of taste, it certainly generated a lot of buzz when it debuted in November 1977. The novelty of the beer's association with the President's brother led many people to rush out and buy the beer, which was only available in cans. The cans featured Billy's signature and the promise, "I had this beer brewed just for me. It's the best beer I've ever tasted. And I've tasted a lot."

Today, Billy Beer is no longer in production, but it has gained a cult following among beer collectors. Unopened cans and six-packs can be found for sale online, with prices ranging from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars, depending on their condition and rarity.

Billy Carter's influence

William Alton "Billy" Carter was the younger brother of former US President Jimmy Carter. Billy Carter's influence was felt in several areas, including politics, business, and popular culture.

Politics

As the younger brother of the US President, Billy Carter's political influence was significant. He ran for mayor of Plains, Georgia, in 1976, losing by a narrow margin. His campaign brought him national attention and contributed to his colourful image as a beer-drinking, Southern "good ol' boy". This image was further bolstered by his outlandish public behaviour, including urinating on an airport runway in full view of the press and dignitaries.

Business

In the business realm, Billy Carter played a crucial role in promoting two alcoholic beverages: Peanut Lolita liqueur and Billy Beer. As the official spokesperson for Peanut Lolita in the 1970s, he leveraged his connection to the presidency to generate buzz for the product. Similarly, Billy Beer, introduced by the Falls City Brewing Company in 1977, sought to capitalise on his reputation. Despite his endorsement, Billy Beer's production ceased in 1978, and Falls City Brewing Company closed soon after.

Popular Culture

In conclusion, Billy Carter's influence was multifaceted and far-reaching. He left an indelible mark on American politics, business, and popular culture, and his colourful personality continues to capture the public imagination.

Billy Beer's value

Billy Beer was first brewed in the United States in 1977 by the Falls City Brewing Company. It was promoted by Billy Carter, the younger brother of then-US President Jimmy Carter. Despite the high-profile endorsement, Billy Beer ceased production in 1978 after the closure of Falls City.

After production ended, advertisements appeared in newspapers offering to sell Billy Beer cans for several hundred to several thousand dollars each, positioning the product as a rare collector's item. However, this was far from the truth—in reality, millions of cans of Billy Beer were produced, and the actual value of a single can ranged from 50 cents to one dollar in 1981.

The false perception of rarity and value created an "urban legend" around Billy Beer, with some people still believing that the cans are worth a substantial amount of money. This myth has persisted despite efforts by organisations like the Beer Can Collectors of America to dispel it.

In recent years, Billy Beer cans have sold for much more modest prices, with an unopened can fetching around $8 to $10, and a six-pack going for $15 to $25. While the beer inside may not be particularly tasty, the cans have become a sought-after collector's item due to their historical significance and the interesting story behind their creation.

So, while Billy Beer may not have been a successful drink, it has certainly left its mark on popular culture, even making an appearance in the animated sitcom "The Simpsons".

Billy Beer's revival

Billy Beer, a brand of beer first launched in the United States in 1977, is making a comeback. After its short-lived initial run, the beer has become an iconic piece of American history, and now, it's back and better than ever.

The original Billy Beer was the brainchild of Billy Carter, the younger brother of then-US President Jimmy Carter. With the help of the Falls City Brewing Company, Billy set out to create his own brand of beer. The result was a light-bodied brew that became a national sensation, thanks to Billy's unique personality and the beer's widespread marketing. However, despite its initial popularity, Billy Beer's success was short-lived due to its poor quality. Falls City Brewing Company closed its doors in 1978, just a year after the beer's debut.

In 2018, a new chapter for Billy Beer began. The Uptown Brewing Company and Billy Beer, Inc. joined forces with Greene County, North Carolina, to construct a state-of-the-art 10,000-square-foot production facility. This partnership marked the revival of Billy Beer, with a renewed focus on quality and taste.

The new Billy Beer stays true to its roots with a refreshing, crisp taste and a craft beer twist. It's light, with fewer calories than leading brands, and made with the finest ingredients, including Tettnang and Saaz hops, and German Pilsner, Munich Pale 6-row, and Vienna malts. This carefully crafted recipe delivers a crushable craft beer that's perfect for any occasion.

The revival of Billy Beer is more than just a return to the shelves; it's a celebration of American culture and history. The iconic brand, once a novelty, has now been elevated to a delicious, high-quality beverage that beer enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike can enjoy. So, whether you're a collector seeking a piece of history or simply looking for a refreshing drink, the new and improved Billy Beer is definitely one to watch.

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