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!"

[Jim Noble]

Knickerbocker = Giants

Schaefer = Dodgers

Ballantine = Yankees

Rheingold = Mets

[sdillard]

There was a Falstaff brewery here in San Francisco when I moved here in 1973. The building is condos now. Same with the Hamm's brewery.

I had an uncle who was a driver for Burgermeister. Is it still around?

[shorty_harris]

...Bergermeister?....Primo?...

[markoman]

I don't remember that commercial.

[WorkingClassFilth]

Hamms = Twins

[Hayzo]

HAMM's! It's the water, and a lot more.

Lot more of what? I don't know.

[They'reGone2000]

"Hey, what ever happened to Olympia Beer? "

Made with Tumwater, right?

The Olympia brewery still stands quiet, while the water, which is being fought over, continues to flow by.

[spanalot]

1972 - Valley Forge quarts - It cost a quarter and you got a penny back.

Never could stomach Iron City.

Bud in bar bottles was the best.

[slapshot]

In the middle of January at Grand Forks, one could chill a Hauenstein, Pfeiffer, or Grain Belt on a window sill in within 15 min. Any time after that - beercicle

[Tiny]

Hamm's Ping!

When my Dad had his buddies coming over he'd buy the good stuff Special Export, in college we called it The Green Death.

[Revolting cat!]

Schlitz has owned it since 1963.

[billhilly]

From the land of Sky Blue waters.

[spanalot]

http://en.for-ua.com/blog/2005/10/13/130215.html

[csmusaret]

You can buy a 12 pack of Schlitz today for $4.99.

[Lurker]

Those were Mickeys Wide Mouths, and they can still occasionally be found.

L

[redheadtoo]

If you were young, broke and needed beer in Los Angeles, Brew 102 was the way to go. Boy was it bad.

I recall my father drinking Brew 102. I found out later that it was brewed in Los Angles. Today it is impossible to image any brewing company even thinking about using LA water to make beer.

Brew 102 was actually shipped to the Seattle area. Dad drank the stuff because we didn't have a lot of money back then. When his financial situation got better, he switched to other beers. My father shared your opinion about the quality of that beer.

[toddlintown]

Special Export was a G. Heileman product, the super-premium to Old Style's premium priced beer. Of course once the price wars kicked in in the late '70s, early '80s, either locally or nationally, all that super and premium stuff got kicked aside for deep price discounts. I can remember dragging home suitcase-sized 30-packs for $7.99 each.

[condi2008]

JAX rocked.....

[bikerman]

AAAhh for a 6 pack of the 3 ring sign Ballentine ale.

[Lurker]

FYI.

L