Best Places To Buy National Premium Beer

National Premium Beer, also known as Natty Preme, is a pilsner beer manufactured by the National Brewing Company. It was originally brewed in Baltimore's Highlandtown neighbourhood until production ceased in 1996. In 2011, realtor and entrepreneur Tim Miller purchased the trademark and revived the brand. National Premium Beer is now brewed in Halethorpe, Baltimore, by Heavy Seas, a company that has been crafting beer in Maryland for over 20 years. The beer is described as a pale, dry pilsner with a golden colour and a pleasing taste that leaves drinkers wanting more. It can be found at various pubs and liquor stores, including The Fool's Lantern, The Linthicum Lounge, and New Sammy's Liquor.

National Premium Beer in Baltimore

National Premium Beer, also known as "Natty Preme", is making a comeback in Baltimore for the first time since 1996. The beer was originally brewed by The National Brewing Company in Baltimore's Highlandtown neighbourhood alongside National Bohemian or "Natty Boh" and Colt 45. However, the facility closed in the late 1970s, and production moved to Halethorpe in Baltimore County until 1996 when it was discontinued.

In 2011, Tim Miller, a realtor and entrepreneur from Talbot County, Maryland, purchased the trademark for National Premium Beer at an auction in New York City. He revived the brand's merchandise and planned to bring back the beer as well. By 2012, Miller had acquired the original recipe and began producing the pilsner in a Delaware brewery.

Miller's vision for National Premium Beer is now becoming a reality through a partnership with Heavy Seas, a craft beer brewer based in Maryland. Heavy Seas will brew National Premium Beer at their Halethorpe brewery, marking the beer's return to Baltimore after more than two decades. This partnership is significant as Heavy Seas' Classic Lager has been considered the closest copy to National Premium's original recipe.

The revival of National Premium Beer carries a sense of nostalgia and evokes fond memories for many in the Baltimore community. Miller shared with the Beverage Journal, "People love beer…They love hearing stories about it. I've found they want to know everything they can about National Premium." The beer's iconic status in Baltimore is expected to generate excitement among those who remember the original manufacturing plant and those eager to taste a piece of the city's history.

On October 14, Heavy Seas hosted a release party to celebrate the official return of National Premium Beer to Baltimore. More information about the beer's availability and distribution in Baltimore can be found on The National Premium Beer website.

National Brewing Company

The National Brewing Company was founded in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1885. Its Baltimore brewery was located in the Highlandtown neighbourhood of the city, between Dillon, Conkling, and O'Donnell Streets. The site has a long history of beer production, dating back to the 1850s when brewer John Baier rented land and dug beer storage cellars. After Baier's death in 1866, his widow, Anna Maria Baier, continued to operate the brewery, later known as Wunder's Brewery.

In 1885, the Wunder Brewery was sold at a foreclosure sale to the Straus family, who incorporated the business as the National Brewing Company. The company began brewing their flagship beer, National Bohemian, by the barrel. Despite this, they were still considered one of Baltimore's smaller breweries. Over time, the company expanded and, by the early 1930s, Samuel H. Hoffberger anticipated the end of Prohibition and began the process of acquiring the National Brewery. Under Hoffberger's leadership, the company hired brewmaster Carl Kreitler, who perfected the recipes for National Bohemian and National Premium beers, and president Arthur Deute, a marketing genius who created the iconic one-eyed Mr. Boh mascot.

National Bohemian gained prominence in 1954 when Jerold Hoffberger, son of Samuel Hoffberger, played a key role in moving the St. Louis Browns baseball team to Baltimore, where they became the Baltimore Orioles. “Natty Boh” was sold at Memorial Stadium and became the official sponsor of the team. The company continued to expand, acquiring breweries and increasing production capacity across the country.

However, by the early 1970s, the National Brewing Company faced challenges due to intense competition and high prices. Their breweries in Detroit and Miami closed in the early 1970s, and in 1975, the company was acquired by the Carling Brewing Company. The National Brewing Company's brands continued to be brewed at the Halethorpe plant until it closed in 1996. Since then, their prominent brands, National Bohemian Beer and Colt 45, have been brewed for Pabst Brewing Company at various plants.

In recent years, there has been a revival of the National Premium label, with an Easton, Maryland-based entrepreneur acquiring the trademark and recipe. The beer is now brewed under contract for The National Brewing Company by Heavy Seas Brewery in Halethorpe, bringing back the iconic brand to Baltimore.

National Premium's history

National Premium Beer was first brewed in 1936 and was the proud product of brewmaster Carl R. Kreitler, who joined the National Brewing Company shortly after Prohibition was repealed. Kreitler imported a yeast from the Carlsburg brewery in Denmark and grew hops on his 247-acre farm near Jarrettsville. He was renowned in the brewing industry for his skills, and National touted his expertise in advertisements.

National Premium was an upscale beer, marketed as the "coast-to-coast party beer, a few cents more but well worth it." It sold in the 1940s for 15 cents a bottle, compared to ten cents for a bottle of National Bohemian, the more popular blue-collar brew of the National Brewing Company. National Premium was well-received locally and nationally and was even served at the Plaza Hotel and Lindy's restaurant in New York, the Ivanhoe restaurant in Chicago, and the Homestead in Virginia. It was also shipped overseas to Egypt, Bermuda, Syria, Puerto Rico, and Japan.

During World War II, when malt rationing put the beer in short supply, the brewery advised its followers: "if you can't find two bottles of National Premium be satisfied with one," adding the patriotic suggestion to "save your money and buy a war bond."

National Premium and National Bohemian thrived in the 1950s and 1960s, outperforming other local beers. However, competition from out-of-town breweries began to erode sales. The National Brewing Company merged with Carling in 1973, and production of National Premium was moved in 1978 to a newer plant in Halethorpe, Baltimore County. In 1979, G. Heileman bought that brewery, folding National Premium into its line of beers. In 1996, Stroh Brewing Company took over Heileman and stopped making National Premium, which by then was produced only in cans.

In 1999, an attempt was made to revive National Premium, drawing a crowd, including former Maryland governor and Baltimore Mayor William Donald Schaefer, to a kickoff announcement on the Baltimore waterfront. However, production of National Premium failed to materialise when the brewer, Frederick Brewing Company, went bankrupt.

In 2011, Tim Miller, a realtor based in Easton, bought the rights to National Premium, acquired the recipe, and resurrected the classic pilsner. National Premium has been available in Maryland since 2012.

National Premium's taste

National Premium Beer, often referred to as "Natty Preme", is an upscale pilsner beer with a unique taste. It is known as the "ritzy brother" of the more popular, blue-collar brew, National Bohemian or "Natty Boh".

The beer has a distinct, crisp taste with a slight hoppiness and a clean, dry finish. It is described as having a "familiar taste" that evokes a sense of nostalgia for those who remember the original manufacturing plant in Baltimore's Highlandtown neighbourhood. The beer has a light pale straw appearance with a short-lived head and a light body. Tasting notes include cracker, yeast, herb, sweet grain, and mild sweet bread flavours.

One reviewer described the beer as having a "nice texture and aftertaste" and finishing "clean and tasty". Another review noted that the beer had a "full-bodied" mouthfeel with "moderate amounts of carbonation" and a "crisp" finish.

National Premium Beer is expected to evoke a sense of familiarity and nostalgia for those who have previously enjoyed it, while also offering a unique and upscale beer experience for new drinkers.

National Premium's merchandise

National Premium Beer, the upscale "ritzy" brother of Baltimore's National Brewing Company's blue-collar brew, National Bohemian, is making a comeback. The brand's merchandise, featuring the famous logo, is now available for fans to show their support.

National Premiums Merchandise:

Cool NP Unisex Premium Sweatshirt

This comfortable and stylish sweatshirt is perfect for those who want to showcase their love for National Premium Beer. It's a great addition to your wardrobe, offering a relaxed fit and a trendy look.

NP Classic Foam Trucker Hat

The classic foam trucker hat is a must-have for any fan. It's a great way to show your support for the brand while keeping the sun out of your eyes in style.

The National T-Shirts

Express your fandom with The National T-shirts. These unique designs are exclusive to the official merchandise store and are perfect for long-time fans or those new to the brand.

The National Hoodies

Stay warm and cozy with The National hoodies. These hoodies are designed with comfort and style in mind, featuring minimalist graphics that celebrate the brand. They are perfect for casual wear or layering during colder months.

The National Accessories

Complete your look with The National accessories. From hats and beanies to bags and patches, you can incorporate your love for National Premium Beer into your everyday wardrobe.

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