Beer On The Ranch: Exploring Ranchers' Favorite Brews

When it comes to what beer is consumed on a ranch, the answer may vary depending on the specific ranch and the preferences of its residents or workers. However, one notable example is the Dutton family ranch in the popular TV series Yellowstone. The show, which first premiered in 2018, often features the Duttons and their ranch hands enjoying a cold beer after a long day of work. The most popular beer choice for them is Coors Banquet, also known as yellow jackets due to the yellow labels, followed by Coors Light. Additionally, other fictional beers like Jackfish and Indian Cabins have been featured on the show. Aside from beer, the Duttons are also known for their fondness for whiskey, with Bulleit Bourbon and Buffalo Trace being some of their preferred choices.

Ranch hands at the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch drink Coors Banquet beer

After a long day of hard work, the ranch hands at the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch often relax with an ice-cold beer. The beer of choice for these cowboys is Coors Banquet, with the occasional Coors Light also making an appearance in the bunkhouse.

Coors Banquet, owned by the Molson Coors Beverage Company, is the official beer of Yellowstone. The collaboration between the show and the brand began at the start of season 5, with the beer frequently being featured. The yellow labels on the cans and bottles have earned the beer the nickname "yellow jackets" among fans of the show.

The choice of Coors Banquet as the Dutton Ranch beer of choice is a natural fit, as the beer is "born and brewed in the West", aligning with the setting of the show. The beer's western origins and the show's depiction of the hard work of ranch life also reflect a shared value of earning your keep through honest labour.

The popularity of Coors Banquet on the show has likely led to increased brand recognition and sales, with fans of the show appreciating the authentic integration of the beer into the narrative. It is clear that the partnership between Yellowstone and Coors Banquet has been a successful one, with the beer becoming synonymous with the world of the Duttons and their ranch hands.

So, if you're looking to unwind like a Dutton ranch hand, grab yourself a can of ice-cold Coors Banquet and settle in for the evening. Just remember to drink responsibly and enjoy in moderation!

The Lone River Beverage Company sells Ranch Water and Ranch Rita

The Lone River Beverage Company, founded by Katie Beal Brown in 2019, sells Ranch Water and Ranch Rita. Inspired by the Lone River in Far West Texas, the company's Ranch Water is a hard seltzer made with organic agave nectar and lime. The drink is inspired by a traditional cocktail from the region, which is made with tequila, lime, and soda water. The company's Ranch Rita is a margarita-style beverage, also made with agave nectar and lime, and is inspired by the margarita, which is rumoured to have originated in West Texas.

Lone River Ranch Water comes in a variety of flavours, including Original, Spicy, Prickly Pear, and Blackberry. The Spicy Ranch Water includes the subtle heat of muddled jalapeño. Ranch Rita also comes in a variety of flavours, including Classic, Spicy, Mango, and Blood Orange. Both drinks are available in 12-packs, 6-packs, and single-serve 16 and 23.5-ounce cans.

The company's products are available nationwide in major retailers and independent stores, as well as via delivery platforms such as Instacart and Drizly. The Ranch Water was first launched in April 2020, and the Ranch Rita was launched in April 2022. The Ranch Rita launch was supported by a multi-million-dollar advertising campaign featuring actor Ryan Bingham and actress Sulem Calderon.

The Lone River Beverage Company was acquired by Diageo in 2021, less than two years after its launch. The company's products have received awards, and the Ranch Water is the number one Ranch Water brand in the US. The company continues to innovate and expand its portfolio, with the Ranch Rita being the latest addition.

Ranch Water is a cocktail made with tequila, lime, and mineral water

While beer is a popular drink choice for cowboys and ranch hands, there is a cocktail called Ranch Water that has become a beloved summer staple in Texas. Ranch Water is made with tequila, lime, and mineral water, and its origins date back to the 1960s when ranch hands would drink it to mark the end of a long day of work.

The cocktail is simple, with just three ingredients, and is nearly impossible to mess up. It is typically made with blanco tequila, which has a bit more bite than smoother tequilas like reposado or añejo. Fresh lime juice is preferred, but if that's not available, cold-pressed lime juice is the next best option. As for the mineral water, the classic version of Topo Chico is considered the best choice, although some opt for Topo Chico's Hint of Lime or Hint of Grapefruit flavour for a twist.

The drink is very customisable and can be modified to individual taste. Some popular additions include a splash of grapefruit juice, rimming the glass with chile-lime salt, a dash of Grand Marnier, or muddled jalapeño slices. The basic recipe is a ratio of two parts tequila to one part lime juice, topped with mineral water and served over ice.

Ranch Water has become so popular that it has inspired hard seltzer brands like Lone River and Great Lakes Brewing Company's Agave Twist to create their own canned versions, although these typically do not contain tequila. Despite the variations, the classic cocktail remains a beloved symbol of Texas hospitality and community.

Ranch Water is the house cocktail of a hot, balmy Texas summer

The cocktail originated in West Texas and is said to have been created for cowboys who wanted to relax with a cold drink after a hard day's work. The name "Ranch Water" reflects this, as it suggests something that cowboys would drink while working on the ranch.

While the exact origin of the drink is unclear, it is often credited to the White Buffalo Bar at the Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas. The hotel started serving the cocktail in the 1960s, but it only became official in 2010 when it was finally put on the menu. However, some people in Austin claim that the cocktail was actually created in their city during the 1990s.

Today, Ranch Water is a popular drink in Texas and beyond. It can be ordered in ritzy hotels and dive bars alike, and it's also available as a ready-to-drink beverage in cans. Many bartenders and mixologists have created their own variations of the drink, adding ingredients like spicy red chilli, cooling cucumber, or herby basil.

Whether enjoyed in a bar or at home, Ranch Water is the perfect cocktail to cool off with during those hot Texas summers.

Hidden Valley debuted a ranch dressing beer tap in New York City

In March 2020, Hidden Valley announced it would be debuting its own ranch dressing beer tap and taking it on a tour of bars around New York City. The ranch dressing tap works as expected: pull a lever and ranch dressing comes out, enough to fill a cup.

The ranch dressing tap was part of the brand's celebration of 'National Ranch Month' in March and the first-ever 'Ranch on Tap Tour'. On May 13, 2020, Hidden Valley brought the tapped kegs of ranch dressing to four bars and restaurants in lower Manhattan: Emmy's Squared, Central Bar, Sweetwater Social, and The Wren.

The event, hosted by comedian Fortune Feimster, was called 'American Craft Beer Week'. Tickets cost $54 and included a drink at each of the four stops, as well as bar snacks like fries, pizza, and wings. Proceeds were donated to the New York Food Bank.

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