Posted on 11/29/2008 6:07:51 AM PST by PJ-Comix
There are a million ways to slight a rival's manhood, but to suggest that he enjoys Zima is one of the worst. Zima was the original "malternative"—a family of alcoholic beverages that eventually came to include such abominations as Smirnoff Ice and Bacardi Silver—and it has long been considered the very opposite of macho: a drink that fragile coeds swill while giving each other pedicures.
That stereotype has persisted despite the fact that Zima's brief heyday came nearly 15 years ago. The brand was then hailed as a marketing coup, an ingenious way to sell beer—or rather, a clear, beerlike solution—to consumers who eschewed traditional suds. But virtually overnight, Zima was done in by its medicinal taste and girly-man rep: After selling an astounding 1.3 million barrels in 1994, the year it went national, Zima's sales fell to just 403,000 barrels in 1996.
Many drinkers assume that Zima vanished shortly thereafter and has since existed solely as a punch line. But Zima actually survived for more than another decade, until MillerCoors pulled the plug on Oct. 10. Rarely has such a famously maligned product enjoyed such a lengthy run—a testament to its brewers' Madonna-like knack for reinvention. The Zima that died a quiet death last month bore little resemblance to the malternative that swept the nation during President Clinton's first term.
(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...
Point Special from Wisconsin is indeed a very fine beer at a low cost. I’d forgotten that one and Rolling Rock is good too. I drink so little nowadays, I’d almost forgotten some of these I had enjoyed in the past but I thought Point Special really was one of the best. I enjoy Foster’s, the Molson Premium, quite a few that are around.
Unibroue brews excellent Belgian and Trappist style ales. They are located in Canada, hence the map on the ‘La Fin’ lable. Their ‘Maudite’ is my favorite. Belgians are a whole other catagory and light years different pale ales. If you enjoy La Fin, give Brewery Ommagong a try...they are located in Cooperstown NY near the Baseball Hall of Fame. They make a Belgian Abbey style ale that is fantastic.
And old mulehockey, tastes about like it sounds.
As another poster mentioned, Kingfisher is not bad at all. You can buy it in most Indian stores
It tastes like “classic” beer. Like beer was meant to be before it got all watered down in some random taste test.
If you guys ever make it to Panama, try the following beers. They all are interesting:
1. El Panama
2. Balboa
3. Atlas
On another beer thread a while ago someone said you can get it at some places in the US but you have to search for it. The internet can help in this regard I imagine. It’s not cheap here in Ontario Canada and goes for about double the price of regular type beers but once you try it it spoils you for most other beers. I do recommend it if you can get a hold of it.
Thanks....will look for it. I have been to Cooperstown a few times and I love the place.
I’ve had and liked Sam Adams, not sure if I’ve had Irish Red.
There was this show called Zena that I'm sure is well remembered. Anyway, I knew this rather cute but but dumb girl who loved that show and a few of us nicknamed her Zima for tasteless, transparent, and weak.
Definitely stop by the brewery next time you are in Cooperstown...the tour is great...especially getting to see the open fermenters...very cool...not many in the US brew that way anymore.
I didn't know Pabst was still around. I haven't seen a PBR in years, and it's been even longer since I've run across a Red White and Blue.
I've not seen it offered locally. I tried and liked their Black Lager, but have not seen it offered around here either. Of course, my visits to package stores are few and far between; I prefer a pint in the pub (walking distance from home if I get stupid) and don't drink much at home.
The Black Lager has a very Guinness-like flavor, without the heaviness.
Unfortunately for Coors, most of those drinkers tried it only once, since straight Zima tasted like tinfoil soaked in Fresca.
I bought a 6-pack when it was first released out of curiosity. I never drank it again. My first sip told me that Zima was nothing more than a cleverly marketed wine cooler.
I was always told never to drink a beer named after an animal, but I used to loves me some Stag beer.
Schlitz was my beer too back then. I went overseas about the same time. I hadn’t tasted the new Schlitz in the states. I figured the stuff overseas had been adulterated for shipping. when I got back, I made a beeline for a bar. I can’t describe the shock when I discovered they had changed the brewing process. Effin bean counters should have been hung by the balls.
Don’t forget the fried clams!
I did. Wasn’t bad in a kind of citrus way. Best used as a base for a punch bowl with different fruit flavors / rum.
Sierra Nevada nice; a fine native creation that stands on its own.
Bud it’s now the popular choice of pop drinkers in Ireland. Women drink it as a light beer. The worst Bud you could ever drink was the mixture they had in Madison Square Garden. It was so bad you would be sick if you resorted to such foolery. No idea what they did, but they made it worse.
Bud has redeemed itself by aligning with the Goddess of brews: Stella Artois.
Back in the day we discovered Kronenbourg and their 1664 version today is still excellent. The Canadien brews were popular to us in college too: Moosehead, Molson and LaBatts.
Other notable horrible locals, Black Label. Shelf space was made at a little deli for St. Pauli Girl as I recall.
From what I remember there is still one open in Davie, FL. Not part of the chain since it long closed up, but still offer 'dogs steamed in beer'. Used to love the onion rings that they served, looooooong time ago.
Like someone else mentioned, bought a six-pack, opened one, tossed the rest. Ecch.
Decided life was too short to drink cheap liquor, graduated to premium rum.
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