Pabst Blue Ribbon, or PBR, is an American lager beer that is still available for purchase. The brand is currently headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, but does not brew its own beer. Instead, it outsources brewing to MillerCoors, and the beer is brewed in various locations, including Milwaukee, Golden, Los Angeles, and elsewhere. Pabst Blue Ribbon is also available in several international markets, including Australia, Canada, Ukraine, Russia, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and China. The brand has a long history dating back to 1844 and has experienced fluctuations in popularity over the years, including a revival in the early 2000s due to its increasing popularity among urban hipsters.
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Where to buy Pabst Blue Ribbon beer
Pabst Blue Ribbon, or PBR for short, is an American lager beer sold by Pabst Brewing Company, which was established in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1844 and is currently based in San Antonio, Texas.
PBR is available in several international markets, including Australia, Canada, Ukraine, Russia, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and China. In the United States, it is widely available at gas stations, retailers, and local stores.
Pabst Brewing Company works with local stores so that customers can order beer from their smartphones or computers. The company is also revamping its merchandise site, where customers will be able to purchase Pabst Blue Ribbon merchandise.
Pabst Blue Ribbon is also available at the company's own music festival, Project Pabst, which takes place in Portland, Oregon, after a 7-year hiatus.
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Pabst Blue Ribbon's history
Pabst Blue Ribbon, also known as PBR, is an American lager beer sold by the Pabst Brewing Company. The company was established in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1844 and is currently based in San Antonio, Texas. The Pabst Brewing Company was founded by Gottlieb and Frederika Pabst, who arrived in the United States in 1848 with their twelve-year-old son, Frederick. The family settled in Chicago, where Frederick eventually found work on the ships of Lake Michigan. In 1862, Frederick married Maria Best, the daughter of Philip Best, whose father, Jacob Best, founded the Best Brewing Company. Frederick became a brewer at his father-in-law's company in 1863.
When Philip Best retired to Germany in 1867, Frederick Pabst and Emil Schandein, his sister-in-law's husband and the vice-president of Best Brewery, worked together to transform the company into one of the largest brewers in the nation. They capitalised on events such as the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which destroyed nineteen Chicago breweries and helped establish Milwaukee as the leading beer-producing city in the US. After Schandein's death in 1889, Pabst became president, and in 1890, he changed the company name from Best to Pabst.
The name "Pabst Blue Ribbon" originates from the blue ribbons tied around the necks of the bottles between 1882 and 1916. The ribbons were added to the bottles after the beer won several awards at competitions in the 1880s. The ribbons were likely added at great cost, but they served as a display of marketing savvy, with patrons asking their bartenders for "the blue-ribbon beer".
Pabst Blue Ribbon experienced a sales peak in 1977, selling 18 million US bbl (2,100 million L). However, between 1980 and 1982, the company had four different CEOs, and by 1982, it slipped to fifth place in sales. In 1996, the Pabst headquarters left Milwaukee, and beer production at its main complex ended. By 2001, the brand's sales had declined significantly, and a new CEO, Brian Kovalchuk, was appointed, bringing about major changes in the company's marketing department.
In 2010, food industry executive C. Dean Metropoulos bought the company, and in 2014, it was acquired by Blue Ribbon Intermediate Holdings LLC, a partnership between Eugene Kashper, a beer entrepreneur, and TSG Consumer Partners. In 2015, Pabst won the "best large brewing company of the year" award at the Great American Beer Festival. Today, Pabst Blue Ribbon is available in several international markets, including Australia, Canada, Ukraine, Russia, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and China.
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Pabst Blue Ribbon's alcohol content
Pabst Blue Ribbon, or PBR, is an American lager beer with a range of alcohol content options. The original lager, known as Pabst Blue Ribbon Original, has an alcohol content of 4.7% ABV. This is the flagship beer of the brand and is considered a full-bodied lager.
In addition to the original, Pabst Blue Ribbon offers variations with different alcohol contents to cater to diverse preferences. For those who prefer a stronger option, there is Pabst Blue Ribbon Extra, a full-bodied lager with an ABV of 6.5%. On the other hand, for those seeking a lighter option, Pabst Blue Ribbon Easy is a light lager with a lower alcohol content of 3.8% ABV. This variation also offers a low-calorie option for those conscious of their calorie intake.
For individuals who want to avoid alcohol altogether, Pabst Blue Ribbon Non-Alc is a non-alcoholic beer with an ABV of less than 0.5%. This option allows everyone to join in on any occasion, providing an authentic and delicious beer taste without the alcohol.
The different alcohol content options offered by Pabst Blue Ribbon cater to a wide range of consumers, from those who enjoy a stronger lager to those who prefer a lighter or non-alcoholic choice. These options provide flexibility and ensure that there is a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer to suit varying tastes and occasions.
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Pabst Blue Ribbon's popularity
Pabst Blue Ribbon, or PBR, is an American lager beer with a long history that dates back to the mid-19th century. The beer was originally called "Best Select" and was produced by the Best Brewing Company, founded by Jacob Best in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1844. In 1863, Frederick Pabst, who was married to Maria Best, the daughter of Philip Best, became a brewer at his father-in-law's company. In 1889, the company changed its name to the Pabst Brewing Company, and in 1890, the beer was renamed "Pabst Select".
The iconic blue ribbons that adorn the necks of the bottles were added between 1882 and 1916 after the beer won several awards at US and international competitions. The beer's name was changed to Pabst Blue Ribbon, and it quickly became a popular brand, with sales peaking at 18 million US barrels in 1977. However, the brand experienced a decline in the 1980s and 1990s, with sales dipping below a million barrels in 2001.
The early 2000s marked a revival for Pabst Blue Ribbon, largely due to its growing popularity among urban hipsters who appreciated its retro, non-mainstream feel and affordable price. The brand's sales soared, with a 200% increase from 2004 to 2013. Pabst Blue Ribbon's resurgence can be attributed to its unique marketing strategy of not marketing itself, which appealed to its target audience's desire for authenticity and individuality.
Pabst Blue Ribbon has also cultivated a strong association with indie music, local businesses, post-collegiate sports teams, and dive bars. The brand encourages fan engagement by accepting online submissions of fan art, which is featured on its Facebook page. Additionally, the brand has sponsored various events and programs, including a music festival in Portland, Oregon, and artist initiatives. Pabst Blue Ribbon has also made appearances in popular culture, including films, songs, and television shows, further contributing to its popularity.
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Pabst Blue Ribbon merchandise
Pabst Blue Ribbon has a wide range of merchandise available for purchase. The Pabst online store offers clothing items such as t-shirts, shorts, hoodies, and hats. The website also offers free shipping for orders over $200.
- T-shirts and other clothing items
- Hats and caps
- Socks
- Glasses and mugs
- Stickers
- Magnets
- Keychains
- Can and bottle coolers
- Beach towels
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Pabst Blue Ribbon is still available for purchase.
Pabst Blue Ribbon is available in several international markets, including the United States, Australia, Canada, Ukraine, Russia, Dominican Republic, Brazil, and China.
Pabst Blue Ribbon offers a range of beers, including:
- Original Lager (4.7% ABV)
- Extra, a full-bodied lager (6.5% ABV)
- Easy, a light lager with lower calories (3.8% ABV)
- Non-Alc, a non-alcoholic beer (0.5% ABV)