Old Milwaukee Explained
Old Milwaukee is a brand of American dry lager owned by the Pabst Brewing Company. The brand currently consists of three different brews: Old Milwaukee Lager, Old Milwaukee Light, and Old Milwaukee Non-Alcoholic. Old Milwaukee is brewed throughout the United States and various packages are currently distributed in all 50 U.S. states, many Canadian provinces, and in select international markets.
History
Old Milwaukee Beer was first brewed in the 1930s as a value-priced beer by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company.[1] In 1982, the Schlitz Brewing Company and the Old Milwaukee brand were acquired by Stroh Brewery Company of Detroit. In 2000, Stroh's and all of its beer brands and recipes were acquired by Pabst Brewing Company, where the brand currently resides.
Canada is one exception: in 1999, Sleeman Breweries of Guelph, Ontario (a division of Sapporo Breweries) acquired Stroh Canada, becoming the Canadian manufacturer and distributor of Old Milwaukee.[2] [3] The purchase doubled Sleeman's volumes, although the Old Milwaukee brand competes on lower margins than premium beers.[2]
Accolades
All three Old Milwaukee brews have won top honors at the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup.
Old Milwaukee Light was awarded the Gold medal in the category American-Style Light Lager at the 2008 World Beer Cup.[4]
All three brews have won numerous awards at the Great American Brew Festival including:[5]
Old Milwaukee Lager
- 1997 GABF – American-Style Lager – Bronze
- 1998 GABF – American-Style Lager – Silver
- 1999 GABF – American-Style Lager – Gold
- 2003 GABF – American Style Lager – Gold
- 2004 GABF – American Style Lager – Gold
- 2010 GABF – American Style Lager – Silver
Old Milwaukee Light:
- 1997 GABF – American-Style Light Lager – Gold
- 1999 GABF – American-Style Light Lager – Gold
- 2003 GABF – American-Style Light Lager – Bronze
- 2004 GABF – American Style Light Lager – Silver
- 2005 GABF – American Style Light Lager – Gold
- 2006 GABF – American Style Light Lager – Gold
- 2007 GABF – American Style Light Lager – Gold
- 2008 GABF – American Style Light Lager – Silver
- 2011 GABF – American Style Light Lager – Gold
Old Milwaukee NA:
- 1995 GABF Non-Alcoholic Malt Beverage – Bronze
- 1999 GABF – Non-Alcoholic Malt Beverage – Gold
- 2002 GABF – Non-Alcoholic Malt Beverage – Silver
- 2004 GABF – Non-Alcoholic Malt Beverage – Gold
Advertising
In 1991, Old Milwaukee ran TV ads featuring the fictional "Swedish Bikini Team".[6]
In 2013, Will Ferrell recorded a series of ads for the company.[7]
In 2014, Old Milwaukee teamed up with the Packard Brothers to create the Pass Me a Beer series. The latest release features Nick Packard and Tim Higgins completing challenging and comedic beer tosses for the Pass Me a Beer Summer Finale.[8]
Alcohol content
| Type | % ABV |
|---|
| Old Milwaukee Lager | 4.5 |
| Old Milwaukee Light | 3.8 |
| Old Milwaukee Non-Alcoholic | < 0.5 | |
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: 1933-1969 Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company History. www.slahs.org.
- News: Hoffman . Andy . March 17, 2009 . A Few Too Many . The Globe and Mail . Toronto . January 28, 2017 . Sleeman purchased the Stroh Brewing Co. portfolio of discount beers in 1999 for $39-million. With brands including Old Milwaukee, Pabst Blue Ribbon, the deal helped Sleeman double the company's volumes but in a category with lower margins than premium beer.
- Web site: Sleeman Breweries – Better beer for all.. www.sleemanbreweries.ca.
- http://www.beertown.org/events/wbc/winners_list/winners_2008.html{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}
- Web site: Great American Beer Festival. Brewers. Association. Great American Beer Festival.
- Web site: Pabst Brewing Co. |. pabst.com.
- Web site: Will Ferrell Beer Commercials: Comedian Stars In Old Milwaukee Ad Spots (VIDEO) | HuffPost . Huffingtonpost.com . 8 December 2011. 2019-07-06.
- Web site: Pass Me a Beer - Summer Finale!. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/0X3MgD8747Q . 2021-12-21 . live. July 1, 2016. YouTube.
