"An American Success Story"

  

D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. is America's oldest brewery and after a recent trip   to Nashville, TN I feel compelled to write about their particular brand of refreshment. Yuengling is family owned and has been since its first keg was brewed in 1829. Strongly committed to tradition, Yuengling packages a wide variety of popular Ales, Porters and Lagers. Yuengling is brewed in Pottsville, Pennsylvania and their flagship beer, Traditional Lager, can be ordered in Pennsylvania and bordering states by simply ordering a "lager." This is certainly a mark of the breweries popularity but also the loyalty of their beer drinkers. A lot has happened throughout the brewery's 189 year lifespan and if you are curious about all of the fun facts please click here.

Yuengling is not sold in Canada so if you are interested in trying any number of their brews you will have to hop (pun intended) over the border. If you do get a chance to try it, I suggest the Traditional Lager. It's a crisp and classic lager that has truly stood the test of time. There aren't many beer companies that have lasted as long and still retain such a loyal and diverse fan-base. Not only is the Traditional Lager delicious, it is served in an attractive green glass bottle. Their unique packaging sets them apart from other brown bottle distributors, throws back to a simpler time and allows whoever is enjoying their beer a chance to stand out in a crowd.

"Hey bartender! Hey man look a here! A draw one, draw two, draw three, four glasses of beer," Hey Bartender, The Blues Brothers

Fun Fact: In 2011 Yuengling was tied with Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams) for the largest American-owned brewery! 

Yuengling Traditional Lager
Class: Lager
Brewer: D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc.
Alcohol Content: 4.4%

Steamwhistle: Retro Revival

It’s pretty difficult to discuss “vintage suds” without mentioning craftbeer. Everything about Steamwhistle  is a shout out to a simpler time, from the name, the retro vehicles that proudly display that name, the way they brew their beer with only four ingredients  and the Roundhouse  in which the beer is brewed in, Steamwhistle is committed to tradition.

 
My first experience with Steamwhistle was before a Blue Jays  game, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has popped into the Steamwhistle Brewery for a free taste test. I really enjoyed the crisp taste, mind you the free part would have me singing anyone’s praises. The most important thing that I noticed about Steamwhistle, besides the quality of the beer, was the feeling I was met with as I walked in the brewery. The staff is super welcoming, passionate and knowledgeable about their product. This kind of attitude in itself is retro in my opinion. It’s hard to find places, let alone businesses, that are this welcoming and treat you like a member of the family as soon as you walk in.

The Steamwhistle label depicts the, you guessed it, steam whistle that signalled the end of the work  day and the start of free and family time. The brewery wanted to remind people to take that break at the end of the day or the end of the weekend to reconnect with one another.

"And if you're drinkin' well, you know
That you're my friend and I say
I think I'll have myself a beer," Reel Big Fish

For many reasons Steamwhistle is a beer with a retro mentality. And it all started with an entertaining and awesome story about perseverance and dedication to quality. You can read more about it here.
 

Fun Fact: The original name of Steamwhistle was 3 Fired Guys, but the creators thought this had a negative connotation.

Steamwhistle
Class: Premium Craft
Brewer: Steamwhistle
Quality: Pilsner
Alcohol Content: 5%
 

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PBR: 168 Years Young

Before we jump to conclusions after recalling the Season 15 episode of South Park that claimed Pabst Blue Ribbon is white trash beer, perhaps we should delve into its history for just a brief moment. PBR (as it is lovingly called today) had its start when German immigrant Jacob Best established the Empire Brewery in Milwaukee, WI. Best and his sons produced 300 barrels within their first year (which is pretty impressive, all things considered). In 1860, Best's son Phillip took over the business. His son-in-law Frederick Pabst (spoiler alert) bought an interest. In 1872, after having produced 100, 000 barrels and becoming the second largest brewery in the United States, Frederick Pabst takes over  the legacy.
In 1876 Pabst Best Select Lager wins the gold medal at the Centennial Celebration and in 1882 after continuing to win awards, Pabst begins hand-tying blue silk ribbons around every bottle (in a blue ribbon marketing move) so it could be easily identified as a winner. 

Conan O'Brien sporting his PBR t-shirt.

 Skip ahead to 2014 where PBR has become the unofficial beer of the "hipster". Prominently featured in books like "The Hipster Handbook", on t-shirts and other merchandise,  PBR is all about tapping (pun intended) into things yet to be discovered. Those who drink PBR do so because it hasn't been gorilla marketed, it takes a conscious effort to buy a case, pint or tall boy: therein lies its cool factor. I was first introduced to PBR while working off of Queen St. West in Toronto, where the hipster population is rumoured to thrive. Many of the local bars served PBR and at discounted price in order to appeal to their target market. 



Fun Fact: Patrick Swayze appeared in a 1979 ad for
PBR which featured groovy disco dancing and unforgettable lyrics:

 "I've got Pabst Blue Ribbon on my mind."

"There's no place that I'd rather be than right here
With my rednecks, white socks and blue ribbon beer," Johnny Russell.

Pabst Blue Ribbon

Class: Pale Lager

Brewer: SLEEMAN BREWING

Quality: Discount

Alcohol Content: 4.9%

Check out their website for the entire colourful history!