Whatever happened to Hamms, or Rainier or Olympia? Lums restaurant chain used to cook their hotdogs in Ballentine, my uncle’s drank Schlitz , and my dad drank Fallstaff or Old Milwaukee, my Piney cousins all drank Stroths.
Because of my “heritage” around these various budget brews growing up... I came to the conclusion that beer is way overrated, especially bottled beer. Kegs or cans, no skunking. Blindfold tests tend to agree.
Singha was atrocious and Sam Magoo was ferocious.
A strong homemade Korean “ongee” beer is a beautiful thing, but it’s an acquired taste. Saki is also palatable.
From BRAVE AI:
Defunct beer brands
Based on the provided search results, here is a list of notable defunct beer brands:
Falstaff (1838-1996): An American beer brand that was once the third-largest in the US, popular at ballparks and backyard barbecues.
Rheingold (1883-1976): A German-American brand that was the official beer of the New York Mets and featured a Miss Rheingold contest.
Ballantine (1840-1991): A brand synonymous with the New York Yankees, its “three-ring” logo was a iconic symbol of the team.
Stroh’s (1850-1999): A Midwestern beer giant that was acquired by Pabst Brewing Company and still produces Colt 45 and Mickey’s Malt Liquor.
Schlitz (1849-1982): A Milwaukee-based brand that was once the largest in the US and the world, known for its “Grapefruit Juice is Brewed for You” slogan.
Narragansett (1888-1992): A Rhode Island-based brewery that was once the largest in New England, its beer is still brewed and available in some areas.
Oldenberg Brewery (1838-1970s): A Kentucky-based brewery that was known for its Light and Ice versions, discontinued in 2021.
Lone Star (1895-1997): A Texas-based brewery that was forced to discontinue operations during Prohibition and did not resume production until after its repeal.
Primo (1897-1990s): A Hawaiian brewery that halted production during Prohibition and resumed brewing in 2007 under Pabst Brewing Company.
Heileman’s Old Style (1902-1996): A Wisconsin-based brewery that was acquired by Pabst Brewing Company and still produces beer under the Old Style brand.
These are just a few examples of the many defunct beer brands that once thrived in the United States.
Hamms went defunct in 1997
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamm‘s_Brewery
Rainier went defunct in 1999
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainier_Brewing_Company
Olympia went defunct in 2003
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympia_Brewing_Company
Achlitz went defunct in 1999
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Schlitz_Brewing_Company