Posted on 09/08/2006 3:33:40 PM PDT by toddlintown
Beer historian explores what happened to famous brews like Schlitz, Rainier, Schmidt and National.
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) September 8, 2006 -- Using Chicago as a backdrop, leading beer historian Bob Skilnik delves into the reasons why once favorite national and regional beer brands have faded in popularity, some banished to obscurity. BEER: A History of Brewing in Chicago ($24.95, Hardcover, 416 pages, Barricade Books, ISBN 1569803129), proves to be more than a regional history book as it also details the downfall of national breweries like Schlitz and Pabst, to once powerhouse regionals with their flagship brands such as Seattle’s Rainier, Detroit’s Stroh, Baltimore’s National Bohemian and G. Heileman’s Old Style, once anointed as "Chicago’s Beer."
"When it came to gaining favor with the Windy City’s thirsty beer drinkers after the local industry went flat in the 1970s," notes Skilnik, "a lot of out-of-town brands tried -- and a lot of brands died. Chicago’s stature as a financial center, as a hub of advertising agencies, and as a convention and hotel stronghold, however, made it the stage for a number of behind-the-scene maneuverings of brewery takeovers and consolidations which also affected the national beer market, and still does."
As the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times have reported on several recent occasions, when it comes to beer, retro is in, whether the beer served is Miller High Life, "The Champagne of Bottled Beers," Schlitz as "The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous," or young Pabst Blue Ribbon drinkers telling bartenders to "PBR Me!"
(Excerpt) Read more at prweb.com ...
You never heard of Brown Derby? The poor man's beer? Worse stuff ever brewed but it was cheap!
Yeah, I remember that one.
We used to drink my buddy's dad's Hudepol every Friday night when we were in high school to piss him off. There was always more on the next Friday however.
Lucky Lager wasn't too bad but Fisher was just awful!
My G.father put refrigeration in a building in Miami,Fl., in the late forties for a Co. brewing REGAL beer. "REGAL spelled backward was LAGER" that was their slogan. I think Bud bought them then discontinued the brew.
I remember my dad drinking Sterling when we lived at Fort Knox Ky., early to mid 60s. I also remember something like Eyrtl's 92.
Grandpa drank Fall City, yuck!
"Jax beer, on the Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf coast, had the funniest commercials ever. In fact, due to Political Correctness, they could not be shown now."
IIRC, they used to sponsor Nash Roberts and the weather on Channel 6, WDSU on the evening news. Their commercials were indeed great! Animated jokes with voices provided by (very young) Mike Nichols and Elaine May.
I vaguely remember one about a cowboy and his horse. The barkeep refused to serve the horse a beer. Punchline: That's alright, Ralph, I'm driving anyway.
Papst bought Hamms and stripped out its quality. I'm thinking Stroh's bought out Schlitz and did the same thing.
I have a can of Billy Beer in the pantry,
A friend of mine father was the account executive for Falstaff, so there was a refrigerator full of uncounted cans and bottles in his basement.
One of the most popular in my (teen beer-sneaking) day was Michelob. I believe they are now selling it as a "premium" beer. As I recall there were about 450 calories per bottle.
For some reason , Ballantine and the face/voice of Mel Allen are synonomous with me . ;)
Beer? My grampa drank Heaven Hill bourbon.
Hamms = Cubs
(They were a big sponsor. So was Old Style.)
I remember mickie's big mouth. Might have been made by schlitz.
That brewery was real close to the I10 freeway, as I recall, with a big sign on it. It seemed like you were gonna run right into it!
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