New Book Answers the Question of Where the Beers Are That Grandpa Used to Drink

PRWeb ^ | 09-08-06 | PRWeb

[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!"

[hotshu]

re: your #169. "You had to be there." I think I was.

There was another one involving a cleaning lady. I think I'll ask my Dad. He has, or at least had a mind like a steel trap for jokes like that.

[neb52]

After being bought out by Pabst, the San Antonio Plant was closed in I think 2002 and like all other Pabst beers Miller Fort Worth received the contract to brew it. At least it is still brewed in Texas though. It would be ironic to still call it Lone Star while being brewed outside of Texas.

[neb52]

I thought the Guiness sold here was from their African breweries?

[neb52]

http://www.pabst.com/mainpage.html

[scottteng]

the Blatz visions of teenage parties danced in my head

[fat city]

"No pulp mill-no tum water-no Oly."

Damn- that explains why I used to sh*t sawdust when I lived out west in the 70's- I thought it was the mexican food.

[F.J. Mitchell]

LOL!