Buying Beer: The Biggest Case You Can Get

If you're throwing a party, you'll want to make sure you have plenty of drinks to go around. But how big of a case of beer can you get? Well, the biggest case of beer in the world is the PBR '1844 Pack'. That's right, it contains 1,844 beers! Measuring 4 feet tall by 3.5 feet wide, this massive case of beer is sure to impress. Released in July 2022 to commemorate Pabst Blue Ribbon's founding year, only 250 of these cases were made available in the US. At a price of $849.99, or just $0.46 per beer, it's an affordable way to keep the party going!

Pabst Blue Ribbon's '1844 Pack'

Pabst Blue Ribbon, the beer of choice for hipsters, skiers, skaters, snowboarders, college kids, and those seeking an affordable way to get drunk, debuted the '1844 Pack' in July 2022 to commemorate the company's founding year. The pack contains 1,844 beers and measures 4 feet tall by 3.5 feet wide.

The '1844 Pack' costs $849.99, or $0.46 per beer, and was released to create a buzz and generate brand awareness. According to Lee Dixon, the Pabst Blue Ribbon Director of National Accounts, the idea was to create an event wherever the pack was located, encouraging people to take photos, share them with their friends, and ultimately choose Pabst Blue Ribbon.

The pack's release was strategically timed to coincide with the 4th of July, the biggest beer-drinking holiday in the United States. Only 250 cases of the '1844 Pack' were released, and they were available at various locations across the country, including large retail chains, popular Pabst Blue Ribbon bars, and smaller independent liquor stores.

The '1844 Pack' from Pabst Blue Ribbon is a massive box of beer that serves as a conversation starter and a fun centrepiece for any party or gathering. It is a unique and attention-grabbing way to celebrate with friends and create lasting memories.

The world's largest case of beer

PBR is no stranger to creative marketing, and the '1844 Pack' is a prime example of this. Nick Reely, the VP of marketing at PBR, explained that the idea for the mega-case came from the success of their previous Independence Day-themed 1776-pack, which also played into the brand's American heritage. The '1844 Pack' was strategically released around the 4th of July, the biggest beer-drinking holiday in the US, to create a buzz and generate attention for the brand.

Lee Dixon, the PBR Director of National Accounts, elaborated on the thinking behind the massive pack: "The idea is that the 1844-pack creates an event wherever it’s located. We want people to stop and shoot photos of it and tell their friends about it. Hopefully, it stops people in their tracks and gets them to grab our beer."

The '1844 Pack' retailed for $849.99, which comes out to a very reasonable $0.46 per beer. However, only 250 cases were released, so if you want to get your hands on one, you may have to act fast!

PBR's marketing strategy

Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) has had a unique marketing strategy that has contributed to its success and enabled it to stand out from other beer brands. Notably, PBR has never relied on conventional beer marketing techniques or big advertising budgets. Instead, its marketing strategy has been heavily focused on grassroots and localised initiatives, leveraging word-of-mouth and local communities to build brand awareness and loyalty.

In the early 2000s, PBR's revival was largely attributed to its appeal among younger consumers during the recession. The brand's independence, affordability, and distinctive can design made it an attractive choice. PBR's marketing strategy during this period was centred around building relationships and creating authentic connections with its target audience.

PBR employed Field Marketing Managers (FMRs) who were empowered to own their local markets. These FMRs utilised social media platforms, such as Instagram, to connect with their specific cities and share content that resonated with their local audiences. They also spent time in the communities, visiting cool bars, tattoo parlours, record stores, and other places where the "cool kids" hung out. This legwork paid off, as PBR was able to build a strong presence in these local markets and create a sense of brand loyalty.

PBR also leveraged its unique positioning as an "anti-corporate, anti-marketing" brand to its advantage. The company understood that its target audience, which it defined as "hipsters" or "anti-corporate, anti-marketing, nostalgia-loving members of subcultures living in specific urban centres", was turned off by traditional advertising. Instead, PBR focused on creating authentic connections and embedding the brand into the cultural fabric of these communities. This included sponsoring indie music festivals, niche clubs, dive bars, and amateur sports events.

Another key aspect of PBR's marketing strategy has been its ability to join trends and diversify its product offerings. Over the years, PBR has released a non-alcoholic version of its beer, PBR-branded seltzers (both alcoholic and cannabis-infused), and even a hard iced coffee drink. The company has also ventured into other alcohol categories, releasing its own whiskey and testing hard tea and seltzer.

Beer cartons in the US

In the US, beer is commonly sold in 24-packs, with prices varying depending on the brand and the state. The average price of a 24-pack of beer in the US is $19.65, but this can range from as low as $14.62 in Michigan to as high as $31.21 in Alaska.

While 24-packs are the most common, some retailers sell beer in larger quantities, such as 30-packs and even 36-packs. These larger packs are often sold at a discounted rate compared to the 24-pack, making them a popular choice for those looking to stock up or host a party.

In recent years, some beer brands have started offering novelty-sized cartons as a marketing stunt. For example, in 2019, Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) released a 99-pack of beer, aptly named the "99 Pabst." The pack, which cost around $175, contained three different types of PBR: Original, Easy, and Extra. More recently, in 2022, PBR debuted the '1844 Pack' to celebrate their founding year. This massive pack contains 1,844 beers and measures 4 feet tall by 3.5 feet wide. It retailed for $849.99, or just $0.46 per beer.

When purchasing beer in cartons, it is worth noting that prices can vary significantly depending on the retailer and location, so it is always a good idea to shop around for the best deal. Additionally, while larger packs may seem like a good deal, it is important to consider the beer's quality and whether it aligns with your taste preferences.

Beer cases in other countries

The number of beers in a case can vary depending on the region and brand. In the United States, a case typically contains 24 cans or bottles, while in Europe, a case may contain 20 beers. Beer cases can also differ in size in other countries, such as Canada, where they have been selling 99-packs of PBR for over 15 years. In the UK, beer cases can come in various sizes, including 12 or 20 bottles, with some cases specialising in beers from a particular country, such as Scotland, Belgium, or the US.

In other parts of the world, beer cases can get significantly larger. For instance, in Finland, Nokian Panimo sold a 3241-pack of Keisari Lager. This pack was likely created to one-up Bud, which previously sold a 3240-pack. Even more remarkably, a Swedish brewery allegedly sold a pack ranging from 4000 to 6000 cans, according to a comment on a Reddit post.

However, the world's largest case of beer is the Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) '1844 Pack', which contains 1844 beers, measuring 4 feet tall and 3.5 feet wide. This pack was released to commemorate the brand's founding year and retailed for $849.99, or $0.46 per beer.

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