Walt Longmire, the fictional Absaroka County Sheriff from the 'Longmire' book series and TV show, is known for drinking Rainier Beer. The inexpensive, working-man's lager is also the favourite of its creator, Craig Johnson, who always requests it as an honorary fee for speaking engagements. In fact, Johnson once sold out an entire brewery after a TV episode showed over 4 million viewers tuning in to watch Longmire enjoy his beer of choice.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Name of beer | Rainier Beer |
Type of beer | Lager |
Brand | Rainier Brewing Company |
Brewery location | Irwindale, California |
Owner | Pabst Brewing Company |
Country | United States |
Popularity | Well-known in the Pacific Northwest |
Walt Longmire's preference | Drinks it almost exclusively |
What You'll Learn
Walt Longmire's preferred beer, Rainier, is an American-owned brand
Rainier Beer has a unique place in American culture and has appeared in several notable films and television shows. In the A&E television series "Longmire," the main character, Sheriff Walt Longmire, exclusively drinks Rainier beer, showcasing his loyalty to the brand. This preference for Rainier beer is also seen in the book series the show is based on, written by Craig Johnson, who himself is a fan of the beer. Johnson's choice of Rainier for his character has had a significant impact on the brand's popularity, even leading to a sold-out situation for the brewery due to the show's success.
The history of Rainier Brewing Company is deeply rooted in Seattle's brewing history. The original brewery dates back to 1854 when A.B. Rabbeson opened Washington Brewery, Seattle's first commercial brewing company. Over the years, the brewery changed hands several times, with different owners contributing to its growth and evolution. In the late 1990s, the company was sold to Stroh's and then to Pabst Brewing Company, which closed the original brewery in 1999. Despite the changes in ownership and brewing locations, Rainier has maintained its status as a beloved and iconic American beer brand.
Rainier Beer has a distinct identity, known for its red "R" logo, which has become synonymous with the brand and dates back to the 1900s. The brand has also been associated with memorable advertising campaigns, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, that featured surrealist and humorous concepts. These advertisements left a lasting impression and contributed to the brand's recognition and popularity.
Today, Rainier Beer is brewed in Irwindale, California, and continues to be a popular choice for beer enthusiasts across the United States. Its accessibility, affordable price point, and status as a "working-man's beer" have made it a favourite for many, including fictional characters like Walt Longmire, and real-life fans like author Craig Johnson.
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The beer is currently brewed in California
Walt Longmire, the fictional Absaroka County Sheriff from the 'Longmire' book series and TV show, drinks Rainier Beer. This inexpensive, working-class lager is Walt's favourite beverage and his brew of choice.
Rainier Beer is currently brewed in Irwindale, California, by Pabst Brewing Company. The beer was originally established in Seattle, Washington, in 1884, but the company is no longer locally owned. After a series of ownership transfers, the brand was sold to Pabst Brewing Company by the late 1990s. The original brewery in Seattle was closed in 1999, but Rainier Beer continues to be sold by Pabst and brewed in California.
The move to California has been met with some criticism, with some claiming that the quality of the beer has suffered since the change. One commenter on Reddit noted that the beer now tastes "skunky" and that "Rainer [sic] has sold out". They also claimed that the company is no longer interested in hearing from its customers.
Despite this, Rainier Beer remains a popular brand in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The beer has also made several appearances in popular culture, including in the films 'Stand By Me' and 'The Bridges of Madison County', as well as the TV show 'Twilight'.
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The original Rainier brewery was in Seattle
The Rainier Brewing Company is an American-owned beer brand, originally established in Seattle, Washington. The original brewery dates back to 1854 when A.B. Rabbeson opened Washington Brewery, Seattle's first commercial brewing company. In 1872, Rabbeson renamed his brewery the Seattle Brewery and launched Rainier Beer in 1878. The beer is no longer brewed in Seattle, nor is the company locally owned, but it remains American-owned with a Seattle-based sales and marketing team.
The Seattle site had been brewing beer since 1878, but the Rainier brand was not established until 1884. After a series of ownership transfers beginning in the 1970s, the company was sold to Stroh's and then to the Pabst Brewing Company by the late 1990s. Pabst closed the brewery in 1999 and sold it, although Rainier beer continues to be sold by Pabst. The original Rainier Beer from Seattle ceased being made in 1999, and nowadays it is just a brand name taken over by an international company.
The brewery itself is a well-known fixture in the south end of town, adjacent to I-5 just north of the Spokane Street Viaduct. The trademark red neon "R" that sat atop the building was replaced with a green "T" when Tully's was using the plant to roast coffee. The neon "R" is now on display at Seattle's Museum of History and Industry.
In the A&E television series 'Longmire', the main character, Sheriff Walt Longmire, exclusively drinks Rainier beer and can be seen drinking it throughout the series. In one episode, Longmire explains his preference for Rainier beer, saying: "I drink Rainier, always have, always will. Those beer cans, they weren't Rainier, none of them. I picked 'em up because I hate looking at litter. Everyone knows that, too."
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The beer is a cheap, simple lager
The beer Walt Longmire drinks is Rainier Beer, a cheap, simple lager. It's an American-owned beer brand, established in Seattle, Washington, in 1884. While the beer is no longer brewed in Seattle, it remains popular in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
Rainier Beer is a classic, no-frills lager. It's described as being better than other mass-market lagers like Bud Light and Miller Light, but it's not a craft beer. It's a straightforward, working man's beer, and that's probably why Walt likes it. It's also dirt cheap, with no sales tax in Montana.
The beer is currently brewed in Irwindale, California, and its quality has been called into question in recent years. Some fans have complained about a change in taste, blaming it on the use of cheaper ingredients or different brewing processes. The beer used to be brewed locally in Seattle, and some believe that the change in location has impacted its consistency.
Despite these concerns, Rainier Beer has a dedicated following. It's been featured in several movies and TV shows, including "Stand By Me", "The Bridges of Madison County", and, of course, "Longmire". The beer even inspired a running gag in "Longmire", where Walt is accused of drunk driving due to his affinity for the beer, and later, someone tries to frame him for a crime by leaving an empty can at the scene.
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The popularity of 'Longmire' caused Rainier to sell out
The popularity of the A&E television series *Longmire* caused a surge in demand for Rainier Beer, the brand exclusively drunk by the show's main character, Sheriff Walt Longmire. The beer features prominently throughout the series, with one scene depicting Longmire explaining his loyalty to the brand: "I drink Rainier, always have, always will."
The show's impact on sales was so significant that by 2023, Rainier was set to deliver more beer to retailers than any year prior since Pabst acquired the brand in 1999.
The Rainier Brewing Company was originally established in Seattle, Washington, in 1884, and Rainier Beer has remained a popular brand in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The beer is currently brewed in Irwindale, California, and distributed by Pabst Brewing Company, which owns the brand.
The iconic red "R" logo of Rainier has become synonymous with the brand and dates back to the 1900s. The logo has undergone several redesigns, with the current "R" logo in use since the 1950s.
The popularity of *Longmire* not only increased sales for Rainier Beer but also contributed to its cultural significance, with the brand gaining recognition beyond its traditional market in the Pacific Northwest.
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Frequently asked questions
Walt Longmire drinks Rainier Beer.
Yes, Rainier Beer is a real beer brand.
Rainier Beer is currently brewed in Irwindale, California.
Rainier Beer is a regular lager beer, and it is considered better than Bud Lights/Miller Lights.
Yes, Walt Longmire drinks Rainier Beer in the Longmire books.