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The Long, Slow, Torturous Death of Zima (No more Zima "beer)
Slate ^ | November 26, 2008 | Brendan I. Koerner

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 ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: alcohol; beer; coeds; zima
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To: PJ-Comix
I lived in a small Alabama town in a dry county growing up (Etowah county). Just across the river, in St. Clair county, was Bearden's bait and tackle, which would sell beer to 15 and 16 year old kids who "made the run." We had all kinds of "detours" off the highway to dodge the cops who sat waiting for cars of teenage boys who left and then came back in 20 mins.

I always got "Schlitz Malt Liquor" for some unknown reason!

I can hardly stand the taste of any domestic beer nowadays. I love Mexican beer, Japanese beer, European brews, and Ozzie beer. I even like Kenyan (Tusker) and Indian (Kingfisher). The only US brands I like are Sam Adams and Killians. My wife likes Bud light with lime.

Of course, nowadays, I only drink one or two, and in those days, I drank till I could not stand up.

41 posted on 11/29/2008 6:44:05 AM PST by slnk_rules (http://mises.org)
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To: PJ-Comix
Maybe someone will start “brewing” Chicha.
It is a type of corn beer from Bolivia.
Women masticate the corn and expectorate it into a crock.
It then ferments, they do put cheese cloth over the crock
to keep out most flying bugs.
It is some bad stuff!
42 posted on 11/29/2008 6:44:06 AM PST by HuntsvilleTxVeteran (Obama, Change America will die for.)
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To: Tax-chick

Like coffee, beer is sort of an acquired taste. Also some brands of beer are acquired tastes. I used to hate Heineken but drank so much of it because we get in in our special food deals, that I’ve grown to love it.


43 posted on 11/29/2008 6:46:10 AM PST by PJ-Comix (The Tide Turned Just a Half Year After Pearl Harbor)
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To: slnk_rules

Asahi beer. I love it!


44 posted on 11/29/2008 6:47:10 AM PST by PJ-Comix (The Tide Turned Just a Half Year After Pearl Harbor)
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To: PJ-Comix

I drink really cheap wine mixed with diet 7-up (or the Wal-mart equivalent), and better wine by itself.


45 posted on 11/29/2008 6:49:00 AM PST by Tax-chick ("And the LORD alone will be exalted in that day." (Is. 2)
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To: PJ-Comix
Never drank Zima but used to love Schlitz. The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous.
46 posted on 11/29/2008 6:49:24 AM PST by hinckley buzzard
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To: Old Teufel Hunden
Bud has a new brew out called American Ale. It's good, try it. I don't know if any of the major manufacturers produce an ale. Almost all lagers. They leave that up to the Sam Adams and Yuenglings of the world usually.

I heartily agree; Bud American Ale is one product that at a few beers a week I may drink, I find as a fine product if one doesn't wish to purchase say beers costing a few dollars more.

It is interesting you mention Yuenglings, the Nation's Oldest Brewer I believe they proclaim themselves as. That was a bit like nectar to me when I visited DC, I had never had it before. I wish Yuengling was available, readily at least, across the nation. Maybe American Ale is a bit like that, I can't make enough of a taste comparison. And of course, Sam Adams certainly has it's positives as well.

47 posted on 11/29/2008 6:52:14 AM PST by RGPII
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To: OKSooner

And an incentive for “Smokey and the Bandit”


48 posted on 11/29/2008 6:52:34 AM PST by neodad (USS Vincennes (CG 49) "Freedom's Fortress")
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To: PJ-Comix
Maybe it’s just me but I never figured out the popularity of Bud.

Nothing overdone. Not too bitter or sweet, not heavy or light on the palate, decent flavor, good head, refreshing.

Suits me OK since I can't get Smithwick's (the nice brown beer they make, NOT the ale) over here.

My tastes run to the less bitter varieties.

49 posted on 11/29/2008 6:52:36 AM PST by JimRed ("Hey, hey, Teddy K., how many girls did you drown today?" TERM LIMITS, NOW AND FOREVER!)
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To: jerod
I like my beer brewed in vats the size of Rhode Island, that’s why I drink my Bud

Make sense. Those teams of huge Clydesdales can't just take a leak anywhere.

50 posted on 11/29/2008 6:52:36 AM PST by hinckley buzzard
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To: PJ-Comix

When I’m asked what my favorite color is I answer 1) clear, 2) plaid.


51 posted on 11/29/2008 6:52:57 AM PST by Walmartian
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To: Tax-chick

When will Obama move for a Zima bailout?


52 posted on 11/29/2008 6:53:33 AM PST by Patrick1
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To: PJ-Comix

I always thought that these wretched malt beverage coolers were just a way to use bad batches of beer normally poured down the sewer. Just run them through activated charcoal to remove the bad taste and flavor it with Kool- aide.


53 posted on 11/29/2008 6:53:59 AM PST by The Great RJ ("Mir we bleiwen wat mir sin" or "We want to remain what we are." ..Luxembourg motto)
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To: PJ-Comix
They neglect to mention that the stuff tasted really bad.

Many six-packs were discarded with five bottles still un-opened after the first bottle was tasted.

I can account for one of those.

54 posted on 11/29/2008 6:54:51 AM PST by capt. norm (Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups.)
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To: PJ-Comix

Zima was a running joke among my circle of friends some years ago. I remember once at a party, a friend picked a bottle of it up to move it out of the way, and forgot that he had it in his hand when he was conversing with someone. I snatched up a camera to photograph it in his hand- so we’d have something to hold over his head. I stalked closer to him. At the last possible instant, he saw me, saw the camera, and figured out what I was doing.

Somewhere there exists a really comical photo of him with this hilarious ‘oh sh*t’ look on his face, trying frantically to rid himself of the detested thing without actually throwing it and making a big broken glass mess.

We also destroyed a perfectly good barbecue that evening. Good times.


55 posted on 11/29/2008 6:55:05 AM PST by Riley (The Fourth Estate is the Fifth Column.)
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To: PJ-Comix

Shiner!


56 posted on 11/29/2008 6:55:13 AM PST by DesertSapper (God, Family, Country . . . . . . . . . . and dead terrorists!!!)
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To: Neidermeyer

Lums was my favorite place. Hot dogs steamed in beer, All kinds of imported bottled beer and french fries with seasoned salt. 2 chili dogs with onion and cheese, fries and a Molson...heaven.


57 posted on 11/29/2008 6:58:27 AM PST by odin2008 (EVIL TRUMPHS WHEN GOOD MEN DO NOTHING)
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To: DesertSapper

Is Pearl still being produced down your way ?


58 posted on 11/29/2008 6:59:53 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: Patrick1

Obama sems like a Zima kind of guy...


59 posted on 11/29/2008 7:00:07 AM PST by odin2008 (EVIL TRUMPHS WHEN GOOD MEN DO NOTHING)
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To: PJ-Comix
If I remember Schlitz put in an additive to cut brewing time and costs. It also cut the taste and their customer base. It’s amazing now to think that at one time Schlitz was the TOP selling beer in the country. BTW, what happened to Ballantine? It used to be a big selling beer but is now barely noticed.

Ballantine beer was so bad it found its way to us soldiers in Vietnam. Before going to Nam I had plenty of practice with Budweiser, Schlitz, Millers, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Shaffer. I had never tasted Ballantine beer before Nam. It was worse than the tiger piss the vietnamese sold us. Later I acquired a tasted for Ballantine Ale. That was a brew on its own level.

60 posted on 11/29/2008 7:04:15 AM PST by LoneRangerMassachusetts
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