Comments on: A Manly American Pastime: Cheap Yard Beer

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:20:58 +0000

In defense of Schlitz…

Schlitz is my go-to beer.

I know you might chuckle and think about how it “cleans,” but that’s not what it’s like anymore. That was the bad, cheap late ’80s and early ’90s version. Now, PBR, owner of the Schlitz brand, has gone back to something more closely resembling the formula of yesteryear and it’s not bad. I am not an expert, but there are a number of beer experts I trust who have the same opinion. Read what the beer experts at Beer Advocate say about Schlitz:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/106/263/?ba=bros

Also, PBR itself isn’t too bad, either. Both share something in common that Miller and Bud lack. They have taste. It’s not just fizzy yellow alcohol water. There’s actual hints of hops and malts in PBR and Schlitz. Miller and Bud are so “clean” tasting, they lack almost any flavor. No, Schlitz and PBR are not going to compare in flavor or presence to a Baltic Porter — Schlitz and PBR are just cheap beer after all — but there’s more tastebud action happening with a Schlitz or PBR over a Bud.

By: Bob Tischbein

Bob Tischbein — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:20:27 +0000

I heard Schlitz is coming back to Michigan. the ad said they are returning to the original receipe, before 1980, before Strohs got ahold of the brand name. I would like to see if this pre-1980 Schultz can be called a yard beer. Will it a hit or a miss? And, secondly if we deem it a yard beer, will that be considered a hit or miss? I will be double parked outside of every beer store in Detroit, searching their selves for our beloved Schlitz Beer. I only hope you don’t see me on Parking Wars, trying to get my car out of hock.

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:52:24 +0000

Here in Washington State, we have Rainier, Hamms, Lucky Lager and Oylmpia as the yard beers. All were made here in Washington, but now made in Cali.

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By: Bill Spradlin

Bill Spradlin — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:41:25 +0000

Excellent article, Pabst is a true classic. I just wish they promote it more and get it in Wal-Mart in Texas. Distribution is spotty here.

Schaefer’s I haven’t seen in years. At my University it was the beer you’d drink at parties after you got wasted on good beer like Bud.

And as for Shrohs, I remember them making a big national push back in the late 80’s - early 90’s. But it never was able to compete with the big 3 (Bud/Coors/Miller). Then it was sold to Miller and went back to being a regional brew. Damn shame because it is an excellent beer. And Strohs used to have a very tasty budget beer called Gobels.

By: Bob Tischbein

Bob Tischbein — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:28:48 +0000

Strohs was big in Detroit in the ’50’s my older brother Don was a jumper on the Stroh’s truck when he came home from college each summer. He always said the Strohs put him through college. Beware, if you drank too many Strohs, you would wake up with a “Strohs Over”. They were miseable, worse than a nagging wife.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:48:35 +0000

@Bob - Never had Carlings, but heard of it. $11.50 years back was a premium beer compared to some of our big hitters on this list. I used to get Schlitz (aka “The Cleaner”) for 10 cents/can. But again, it got its nickname for a reason. I am certain they used water from Mexico…

@Founding - Buying a whole pallet at a time. That is simply legendary. I love it.

By: Founding Father

Founding Father — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:16:44 +0000

This may be the single greatest post I have ever seen. Personally, I am partial to Natty. Back in the day, we would get a whole pallet at a time. $6.49 a case. Our parties then evolved to natty on tap... im pretty sure the keg deposits were more than the beer itself. Ahh the good ol days! Founding Fathers last blog post..UFC 91: Lesnar vs Couture

By: Bob Tischbein

Bob Tischbein — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:58:05 +0000

Years back I used to drink Carlings (Black Label). Recently I found it at my favorite drug store. Would you believe a 24 can case for $11.50? At 50 cents a can you can’t buy bottled water at that price! I fell right off my diet.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:04:54 +0000

I’ve missed some biggies. Might have to amend this article or add another list. Falstaff is a CLASSIC. The other one I missed that my Dad always hit was Altas.

By: Night Writer

Night Writer — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 21:51:20 +0000

Can’t help thinking of my old man and his buddies when you brought up “yard beer.” When you described the term I immediately thought of Falstaff, which seemed to be in a lot of base-housing back yards during Dad’s service days when I was just a nipper. Later he liked his Weidemann’s, and when I was in high school in Missouri he and his bud’s favored another regional brew, Stag, much to the derision of us young bucks. He was pretty much a Bud Light guy in his latter years, though.

Thanks for the memories; I may have to scrounge around the local liquor stores to see if I can still find a six-pack of one of those oldies and pop one open in his honor.