Schlitz

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Schlitz Beer
Schlitz Brewing Company
(Pabst Brewing)
Woodbridge, IL
Milwaukee, WI USA
Est. 1849
www.schlitzgusto.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.6 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12

Postmortem Brew Review
Clear, golden yellow color.
Hop aroma, with grain smell; typical lager yeast presence.
Three fingered fluffy white head with good carbonation.
Slight, clinging head lace present in the glass.
Light flavor and body.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
The beer from yesteryear that has more mottos than anybody else. "The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous" and "Go for the Gusto!" are just a couple of examples I can recall when this stalwart of a beer fought alongside Pabst, Bud, Miller, Ballantine, Schaefer and Piels for a slice of the American market.

Yes friends, as said before, everything old is new again. Used to be the country was filled with breweries competing for market share. I didn't mention Rheingold, Hamms, Carling Black Label, Stroh's or countless others trying to make it on the scene. Does any of this sound familiar to you...like today's 'micro'-breweries, perhaps??? Hmm? I digress.

Stone Cold Fact: In 1902, Schlitz eclipsed Pabst for world beer output.

We'll I thought I had buried Schlitz years ago. But there it was, chillin' in the fridge of the jumbo liquor warehouse with a 'toe-tag' proclaiming $5.99 for the 'sixer. This used to be a staple at the Reaper's crypt in the 70's, so swoop! Under my radius and ulna it went, (humerus me, okay?)

It seems that the ghost of Jos. Schlitz is still alive, albeit in a reincarnated form. With thanks to Pabst, since 1999 the brand remains solid, and this was after Stroh's had previously acquired the Schlitz name in 1982. And Pabst has an agreement with Miller to produce it in their Texas plant alongside PBR! That was like reviewing the family tree with relatives at the funeral home! It just goes to show that you can't keep a good name down.

After all this, what lies in store for the future of Schlitz? According to their website, "Not 21 Yet? Hang on to your youth while you can. We'll be around when you're ready." Apparently the brand's still sound, at least for awhile. And lest you think this is just another old-man's brew, let us pause to give some 'props' to Jos. A. Schlitz for some of the greatest innovations in beer history. Namely...

• the brown glass bottle ~ to prevent spoilage
  
• the "pop-top" for cans ~ don't need a church-key
  
• the 7 oz. pony sized or "Little Joe" ~ for when you're thirsty
• the 24 oz. "Tall Boy" can ~ for when you're thirsty-er
  

They have served the beer industry well! So, "Move Up To Schlitz, Mr. HopKiss, and Grab Some Gusto, 'Cause When You're Out Of Schlitz, You're Out OF Beer!"