The Best Places To Buy Red, White, And Blue Beer

Red, White & Blue Beer was originally produced by the Pabst Brewing Company and later by G. Heileman Brewery. It was first brewed in 1899 as a Fourth of July celebration and was most recently re-released by Pabst Milwaukee Brewery in 2018. It is presumed to be out of production now. While it was being sold, it was known for its low price and was popular among drinkers on a budget.

Red, White & Blue beer's history

Red, White & Blue Beer was an American beer brand originally produced by the Pabst Brewing Company, and later by the G. Heileman Brewery of La Crosse, Wisconsin. The beer was first introduced in 1899, just in time for the Fourth of July weekend, with the name being an obvious nod to the American flag. Early advertisements emphasised its "mellow" taste, drinkability, and low price point, with the slogan "honest beer for an honest price".

Prohibition briefly halted the production of Red, White & Blue Beer in 1920, but it was brought back to the market with the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. The brand experienced a surge in popularity during World War II and subsequent conflicts, with sales seemingly spiking in tandem with American military involvement. The patriotic nature of the brand, with its red, white, and blue can design, was a significant selling point during these periods of heightened nationalism.

In the 1970s, Red, White & Blue Beer became popular among G.I.s, with many allegedly drinking nothing else. The beer was also a favourite among college students and low-income individuals due to its low price, comparable to that of Hamm's Beer or Schaefer Beer. During this time, the Avalanche Bar & Grill, an iconic drinking establishment on the campus of Marquette University, became known for its risqué tradition called the "naked beer slide", in which students would strip down and slide across the beer-soaked concrete floor. The venue reportedly sold more Red, White & Blue Beer per capita than any other tavern in the world during the era of this tradition.

In the early 1980s, during an economic recession, the brand experienced another resurgence. A series of folksy, radio editorial-style commercials by Harmon R. Whittle contributed to a sixty percent increase in sales. The commercials poked fun at politicians, suggesting that the beer was a more effective and affordable way to promote America abroad than foreign aid.

However, despite its popularity among certain demographics, Red, White & Blue Beer also received low ratings and unfavourable comparisons from other drinkers. At some point in the early 2000s, production of the beer stopped entirely. Pabst briefly revived the beer in 2018 at its Milwaukee brewery and taproom, but it was discontinued again in 2020. As of now, Red, White & Blue Beer is presumed to be out of production, with neither Pabst nor Miller Brewing Company (which has taken over most of Pabst's brewing operations) listing it as one of their current brands.

Where to buy it

Red, White & Blue Beer was originally produced by the Pabst Brewing Company and later by G. Heileman Brewery in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It was first brewed in 1899 as a Fourth of July celebration and was known for its patriotic branding and affordable price point.

While the beer is presumed to be out of production, there have been a few instances of it being temporarily revived in recent years. In 2018, Pabst Milwaukee Brewery brought back the beer for a limited time to celebrate the Fourth of July. It was available at the Pabst Milwaukee Brewery and Taproom, as well as at a beer garden launch party sponsored by Klements.

Prior to that, in 2010, Business Week mentioned that the owners of Pabst were planning to revive "dead" brands, including Red, White & Blue Beer, through a patriotic appeal that would contribute directly to military charities. However, it is unclear if this revival ever took place, as recent sources indicate that the beer is no longer in production.

In terms of where to buy it, your best bet would be to keep an eye out for limited re-releases or special events hosted by Pabst Milwaukee Brewery, as they seem to be the only brewer to have revived the beer in recent years. Additionally, you may be able to find collectible items such as cans, bottles, or promotional items through online marketplaces or auction sites.

Reviews of the beer

Red, White & Blue Beer was a brand of American beer, originally produced by the Pabst Brewing Company and later produced by G. Heileman Brewery of La Crosse, Wisconsin. It was known for its low price and was popular among drinkers on a budget, including college students and low-income persons. However, the beer received low ratings and unfavourable reviews.

One reviewer on BeerAdvocate gave it a rating of 1.48/5, stating that they bought a 12-pack while camping, drank half of one, and discarded the rest. They described it as "purely and absolutely the worst thing I've ever [drank]. The cure for alcoholism." Another reviewer on the same site gave it a rating of 3.28/5, noting that it was very light-bodied and full of corn flavour, with a thin and watery feel. They also mentioned that the corn sweetness became a bit much after drinking more than one.

Additional reviews from BeerAdvocate describe the beer as "horrible", "intolerable", and "a poor excuse for a beer". One reviewer recalled that it was the beer from their childhood that even underage drinkers avoided. Another reviewer mentioned that they worked at a grocery store where Red, White & Blue Beer was the biggest seller in the beer department in the late 1970s and early 1980s, which amazed them.

Despite its low price and popularity among certain segments of drinkers, Red, White & Blue Beer appears to have been discontinued, as it is no longer listed on the Pabst or Miller Brewing websites. However, there were plans to revive the brand through a patriotic appeal that would directly contribute to military charities.

The beer's price

Red, White & Blue Beer was an American beer brand originally produced by the Pabst Brewing Company and later by the G. Heileman Brewery of La Crosse, Wisconsin. It was first introduced in 1899, just in time for the Fourth of July celebrations. The name, of course, is a reference to the American flag.

In the 1970s, a 6-pack of Red, White & Blue Beer cost just 89 cents, making it an incredibly affordable option. It was also available to buy for 50 cents per can at the Avalanche Bar & Grill on the campus of Marquette University. This was a popular drinking spot for students, who would use the beer for a risqué tradition known as the "naked beer slide".

In the early 1980s, the US recession led to a resurgence in the brand's popularity, as it was a very cheap beer. During this time, a case of Red, White & Blue Beer cost around $3, and a 6-pack was 89 cents. However, by the early 2000s, the beer had lost its momentum and production stopped entirely.

In July 2018, Pabst briefly revived the beer at its Milwaukee brewery and taproom, but the prices were significantly higher than in the brand's heyday: draft pours were $4, and 32-ounce to-go crowlers were $15. The beer's production stopped again when the taproom closed in 2020, and it is presumed to be out of production for good.

Similar beers

Red, White & Blue Beer was an American beer, originally produced by the Pabst Brewing Company and later by the G. Heileman Brewery of La Crosse, Wisconsin. It was an American adjunct lager with 3.2% ABV and 10 IBUs. It was known for its low price and was comparable to Hamm's Beer or Schaefer Beer in terms of cost.

• Pabst Blue Ribbon: After Pabst regained ownership of RWB in 1999, RWB production slowed as its audience tapered off, possibly due to its close resemblance to Pabst Blue Ribbon in terms of packaging and taste. With near-identical packaging and a slightly lower ABV, RWB may have become less appealing to consumers who could now opt for the more popular PBR.
• Hamm's Beer: Hamm's Beer is mentioned as a comparable beer to RWB in terms of price point. It is known for its budget-friendly cost and may be a good alternative for those seeking an affordable beer option.
• Schaefer Beer: Schaefer Beer is another beer that is often mentioned alongside RWB when it comes to pricing. It was considered a smart alternative by those who found RWB unpalatable.
• White Castle Slider: While not a beer, the White Castle slider is likened to RWB in terms of its low cost and all-American appeal.

These beers may offer a similar taste profile or cultural significance to RWB, but it is important to note that RWB's unique combination of price, packaging, and patriotic branding made it stand out in the market, and it is challenging to find a direct equivalent today.

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