The Daily Hook

I came across this article in The Washington Post from 2003 about the comeback of America’s Finest Beer, PBR. The author writes,

“Pabst Blue Ribbon, a forgotten if not forsaken brand, once the solace of the beleaguered working man, and, regrettably, a beer often associated with what people in polite company call “trash,” has staged a surprising comeback.”

I undoubtedly agree that Pabst has made a tremendous comeback in the past few years, but I strongly disagree with the comment that PBR is associated with people referred to as “trash.” Yes, PBR is the working man’s beer, a true blue-collar drink, but where does the word trash come into play? It is true that you would not see LC from MTV’s The Hills drinking PBR, but does that mean that everyone else is trash? The answer to that is NO! Adjectives that do come to mind, however, when I think of words that describe people who drink PBR are real, hard-working, loyal, honest, down to earth, hospitable, and … hipster.

I know the author was simply trying to make a point about the lower class appeal of the beer, and he later goes on to say that mainstream America and celebrities have taken a liking to the bottom barrel beer, but there are those that do indeed associate the beer with trashy individuals.

Personally, I am a huge fan of PBR. Not only because it is cheap, but because the hops in this beer go down so smooth. I can handle low-end beers such as Tecate and Miller High Life (many would argue against it being low-end, but it does appear in a crap-o-bucket at a local bar), but PBR simply rises above the competition. I should also mention that Schlitz should have its own category labeled ’shittiest beer every created by man’ because even it is a disgrace to bottom barrel beer.

PBR and I have had many long and crazy nights together. It is the reason that in May I was the drunkest guy not only in Carroll Gardens, but in the borough of Brooklyn. We began the 12 hour escapade at 3pm at the Gowanus Yacht Club where there is always a steady stream of PBR and kept going together until 3am that evening. I met many cool and hip people and kept reminding them that I was, even if for one night. It was a great conversation starter and I even got a number or two. One of those numbers was from a nice, white Crown Heights girl who referred to her area as “Crown Hizzie.” I still periodically have text message arguments with this girl, usually about how I don’t view Colt 45 as a bum beer – but thats another post on its own!

I guess the point of this post is that even if PBR is making a cross-over into celebrity culture and mainstream America, it will always be a working-man, blue collar beer.

I should also mention that PBR earlier this year began to underwrite National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered.” The Holaolah blog has a nice post about this.

**Important note: I was only the drunkest guy in Brooklyn because the true drunkest guy in Brooklyn passed out at 9pm.

Bars in Brooklyn that serve PBR:

• Last Exit – Atlantic b/w Clinton and Henry (6 cans for $10)
• Floyd – Atlantic b/w Clinton and Henry (Crap-o-Bucket)
• Gowanus Yacht Club – Smith St and Carroll ($2 can)
• Moonshine – Columbia and Woodhull (4 cans for $5)

I’m sure there are countless others, but these are some of the highlights. Feel free to suggest more. I think this article is Diggbaitable!