Pabst Blue Ribbon

I know that as much as I bad mouth cheap macro-brewed beer this positive review may seem a bit hypocritical (hipster). Please, bear with me wile I explain whats going on here. I'm not really judging this beer on its merits but more so on its lack of glaring faults. A "good" Macro-made Standard American Lager, or SAL, is supposed to be barely there with minimal aroma and flavor. The strong and robust aromas and flavors that make other beer styles praiseworthy are seen as faults or errors in this style. Remembering this when you're drinking an SAL is important because you can't knock a beer for successfully executing its intended profile. My regular belly moaning about macro-beer is not based my dislike of the the style, it's that a large majority of macro-beer is plagued with real faults. Foul aromas, ill-fitting adjunct grain flavors, over carbonation, over production, and a general lack of individuality in brewing are what you will see me complain about. Luckily not all of the SALs share these bad beer blunders. One of my favorites at avoiding them is Pabst Blue Ribbon, or PBR. It politely exhibits the timid nature of a "good" Standard American Lager without the normal off-putting sensual distractions that give most typical "American" lagers a bad name.

If the person you're drinking with is sucking down a Bud or Miller Light and mocking you for drinking a PBR let 'em have it! Yes it's cheap, simple, and made with adjuncts but it doesn't stink like a wet skunk in a metal box eating overcooked rice or taste like a two day old fizzy corn burp. PBR has a pleasant yet extremely thin grainy malt nose with just a touch of sweet corn and the softest whisper of hop.  The taste is nearly identical. Slightly watery pale sweet malt with a mild unintrusive corn layer in front of a nearly nonexistent bittering hop. Very light, simple, and incredibly refreshing. Carbonation is brisk but not overbearing. The light flavor vanishes quickly with a tight dry finish. 12 1970's tacky game show hosts out of 7. At around $10 per 12 pack PBR is a must have in hottest of summer months. A no frills beer that washes down a any greasy burger with ease.

cheers