Real Beer Or Not: The Shameless Truth

The popular TV show Shameless revolves around the drinking culture of Chicago, where the show is set, and the Gallagher family, who are known for their alcohol consumption. The show features a mix of real and fictional beers, with the character Frank Gallagher, a severe alcoholic, often seen drinking Old Style, a popular beer in Chicago. In one instance, Frank is working on a secret project—revealed to be his homebrew, Milk of the Gods, which he claims to be the strongest beer known to man. While it is unclear if the actors drank real beer during the show's filming, the presence of alcohol is a significant aspect of the show's plot and contributes to the dysfunctional family dynamic.

Frank Gallagher's favourite beer is Old Style

In one episode, Frank is working on a secret project, which turns out to be a homebrew called Frank's Milk of the Gods. This beer is revealed to be the strongest in the world and includes two of Frank's favourite flavours: smoke and bacon.

In the UK version of Shameless, Frank drinks a beer called Stelberg, which is a fictional combination of Stella Artois and Carlsberg.

The show Shameless is known for its many scenes involving beer and the drinking culture of Chicago, where the show takes place. While Old Style is the most frequently featured beer, other real and fictional beers also make appearances.

Frank creates his own homebrew called 'Milk of the Gods'

Frank Gallagher, the patriarch of the Gallagher family, is a severe alcoholic who spends most of his time and money at The Jockey, his favourite bar. In the first season, Frank is consistently drunk and incontinent, rarely making any intelligent appearances. However, in the fifth season of Shameless, Frank works on a secret project, which is revealed to be his own homebrew called "Milk of the Gods".

Frank's Milk of the Gods is not just any beer but is touted as the "strongest beer known to man". In addition to its high alcohol content, it also incorporates two of Frank's favourite flavours: smoke and bacon. This unique combination reflects Frank's eccentric character and his love for unconventional flavours.

The creation of Milk of the Gods showcases Frank's ingenuity and his desire to have a drink that suits his particular tastes. While he frequently drinks Old Style, a popular beer in Chicago, Milk of the Gods is crafted specifically to his preferences. It is a testament to Frank's dedication to his drinking habits and his willingness to experiment with new and unusual flavours.

Frank's homebrewing endeavour adds a new dimension to his character, demonstrating his resourcefulness and creativity. It also provides a glimpse into his personal tastes and the lengths he is willing to go to satisfy them. Milk of the Gods is an extension of Frank's personality, a unique creation that sets him apart from the other characters in the show.

While the beer itself is fictional, it adds a layer of authenticity to the character of Frank Gallagher and the drinking culture portrayed in Shameless. It showcases the show's attention to detail and its willingness to explore the intricacies of its characters' lives, even when it comes to their drinking preferences.

Old Style is a popular beer in Chicago and the Midwest

Old Style is a beloved beer in Chicago and the Midwest, with its iconic signs hanging outside bars in Illinois and Wisconsin. The beer is so popular in Chicago that it has even sponsored the Chicago Cubs. Old Style's association with Chicago and the Midwest is largely due to its marketing strategies. In the 1950s, Old Style began sponsoring the Chicago Cubs, and in the 1970s, salesmen offered free signs to taverns with the beer's emblem.

Despite its popularity, Old Style is not actually from Chicago. The beer was originally produced by the G. Heileman Brewing Co. of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and was widely consumed throughout the Midwest. In fact, Old Style caught on more in Chicago than anywhere else, and by 1935, the company moved its operations to the city. However, in 2016, Old Style moved its operations back to Wisconsin, where it had originally started.

Old Style's popularity in Chicago and the Midwest can be attributed to its accessibility and unchallenging flavour profile. It is known for being an uncomplicated, easy-drinking lager without extra hops or a floral aroma. This made it a popular choice for those seeking a simple, refreshing beer.

Stelberg is a fictional beer in the UK version of Shameless

The show Shameless revolves around the Gallagher family, a struggling working-class family in Chicago. The patriarch of the family, Frank Gallagher, is a severe alcoholic who spends most of his time and money drinking at the local pub. While the US version of the show features real beers like Old Style, the UK version creates the fictional Stelberg beer, likely to avoid product placement or to create a more generic version of the show that can be adapted for different countries.

In addition to drinking Stelberg, Frank also has a homebrew called "Milk of the Gods," which is revealed to be the strongest beer known to man. This beer also incorporates two of Frank's favorite flavors: smoke and bacon.

The use of fictional beer in television and movies is not uncommon, and Stelberg is just one example of a made-up beer brand used for entertainment purposes. While Stelberg may not be a real beer, it adds to the authenticity of the UK version of Shameless and helps to establish the world and culture in which the characters live.

The drinking culture portrayed in Shameless, whether through real or fictional beer brands, is a significant aspect of the show and contributes to the dysfunctional yet beloved nature of the Gallagher family.

Heisler is another fictional beer used in Shameless

The popular TV show Shameless revolves around the Gallagher family and their lives in a working-class neighbourhood in Chicago. The show features a lot of beer drinking, with the characters often seen drinking at The Jockey, a local pub.

While the show is centred on the family's struggles, it also highlights the drinking culture of Chicago, where it is set. The characters are frequently seen drinking beer, and while some of the beers are real, others are fictional.

One such fictional beer is Heisler, which has also been used in other TV shows and movies. Heisler is not featured prominently in Shameless, but it is one of the fictional beers that the characters are seen drinking.

The show's protagonist, Frank Gallagher, is a severe alcoholic who spends a lot of his time drinking at The Jockey. While he is often seen drinking Old Style, a popular beer in Chicago, he also has his own homebrew, which he calls "Milk of the Gods". This homebrew is introduced in Season 5 and is said to be the strongest beer known to man, incorporating two of Frank's favourite flavours: smoke and bacon.

The show also features other fictional beers, such as Stelberg in the UK version of Shameless. Stelberg is a combination of the names of two popular UK beers, Stella Artois and Carlsberg, and is the beer of choice for Frank in the UK version of the show.

The use of fictional beers in Shameless adds to the authenticity of the show, as it reflects the characters' drinking habits and the culture of the city in which the show is set.

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