Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) - Pabst Brewing Company

Goat2Hunter

Georgia

3.83/5  rDev +27.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

I had this in both a bottle and a can, and I must say, I was very impressed, its appearance is very fine looking, like you would expect a beer to be, smells like beer, good amount of hops present, taste is very good, especially for the price you would imagine this to taste like water, but it really doesn't, Pabst uses alot of hops, and very exotic ones at that, not like its an exotic beer, its taste like beer, but it is rather quirky tasting, damn good though. and mouthfeel is nicely carbonated, overall I think this is a good beer, and a beer's beer at that, they use alot of good ingredients in making it and I think it runs circles around its more expensive rivals like Budweiser, or Corona. I also believe if you dont like this you probably dont like beer, Everyone needs to try this beer, at least once in there life's

Serving type: can

04-25-2013 13:32:08 | More by Goat2Hunter

lancecenter

Texas

2.91/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 24 oz can in to a Sam Adams pint glass.

A - pale yellow with about two fingers of head that dissipates pretty quick. Decent amount of lacing.

S - Not much going on here. A little bit of grass like most adjuncts.

T - Grassiness with a little bit of citrus.

M - Crisp, light mouthfeel.

O - Eh, I not bad for an adjunct.

Serving type: can

04-14-2013 05:41:54 | More by lancecenter

sajaffe1

Alabama

3.24/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Poured from the 12oz can into a pint glass

A- Brassy color, clear, bubbly with a good but short-lived head

S- Grains, namely corn and some barley, touch of grassy hops

T- A bit bland yet refreshing. Hints of hops and corn

M- Thin, but well carbonated

O- It is a decent budget beer and beats out many of the other major adjunct lagers.

Serving type: can

04-11-2013 19:12:13 | More by sajaffe1

fx20736

New York

3.71/5  rDev +23.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

bought a single 24 oz can from Wegmans Calkins Rd on 4/9/13 for $ 1.29.

Poured into a mug, served at fridge temp.

appearance: pale brass with a 2 finger white head. Some lacing.

aroma: hops and some baker's yeast?

mouthfeel: a little thin but not flat, decent carbonation.

taste: pale malt with a touch of hops.

notes: for an adjunct lager this is pretty good beer. Hell, it's just good beer. No wonder hipsters like it.

Serving type: can

04-09-2013 23:49:35 | More by fx20736

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

2.69/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75

Poured into a shaker pint glass.

Look: Clear light golden straw color. A white head recedes to a film. Minimal lacing.

Aroma: Metallic, yeasty, bready.

Taste: Slightly sweet, metallic, faint malted barley, yeast.

Mouthfeel: Light and carbonated.

Overall: Hipsters like it, but to me it's not any better than any other adjunct lager. I guess I'm not cool enough :(

Serving type: can

04-06-2013 22:12:52 | More by JuicesFlowing

MichaelNickerson

Michigan

2.93/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 1.75 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

Appearance: Extremely light yellow with small head.

Smell: Bread malt aromas with light hops and light yeast.

Taste: Light, thin body with a bitter ending.

Mouthfeel: Short retention that allows for a rather quick second drink.

Overall: Although it's a below average beer, it's the best "cheap" beers out there. Definitely better than bud light, natty light, keystone, and other comparable beers. Easy to drink for volume purposes, but other than that, useless.

Serving type: can

04-01-2013 23:12:14 | More by MichaelNickerson

bbluemzbeer

California

3.51/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

I certainly think this is better than Bud, Miller and Coors.

Apperance: yellow. It looks like beer

Smell : smell like grain, like beer should smell like.

Taste: I was surprised how good this beer tasted. It tasted like malt and corn and some mild at the end

Mouthfeel: Strongly carbonated with a thin body. It just like ameircan lager beer

This beer was real nasty as kid but it taste pretty good now. Maybe I drank it warm or they changed the formula. I would drank some more in the future. Good beer!

Serving type: can

03-31-2013 18:42:35 | More by bbluemzbeer

daddydawg80

Georgia

3.09/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

OK, everyone has had this so no need to state the obvious. This beer is what it is and has survived for over 150 years, so it is no fad.

I call this my lawnmower beer, which means it's my go to beer after yard work when I'm thirsty.

I love it for what it is and keep a few in the fridge surrounded by a variety of craft brews. This is an American classic, god bless America.

Serving type: can

03-31-2013 16:03:52 | More by daddydawg80

Brotato

California

2.23/5  rDev -25.7%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 1 | overall: 2.25

This is a cheap beer, there's no arguing that, and if someone is limited by their budget for the nectar that we know as beer then Pabst Blue Ribbon is a somewhat legitimate option among other cheap beers. If one could see beyond all the hype about this brew then I'd reckon that they'll come to the same conclusion.

Serving type- Can poured into a tumbler glass

Appearance- Straw yellow with a quickly dissipating head and very little lacing to follow. By no means gross looking as others claim but it is rather plain looking.

Smell- Mildly sweet wheat scent with a very faint citrus note, it really smells better than it tastes in my opinion.

Taste- In all honesty, it tastes like carbonated tap water that serves initially a light corn syrupy sweet taste tailed with a very, very mild wheat flavor along with some faint citrus-like notes in there... I cannot detect any malt or hops. Thankfully it does have alcohol in there.

Mouthfeel- Ever had carbonated water? Imagine that with beer flavoring added...

Overall- Disappointing considering all the hype about this beer. I really can't justify this beer when they're so many better options out there. Yes, a better beer is typically more expensive but infinitely more enjoyable. To be honest though, I have been "corrupted" by the finer brews from the likes of Belgium (Abbey beers rock!) and Europe in general, although there's plenty of garbage brews that come from there too, but if anyone is simply drinking this beer only to be "hip" then the joke is on them because there are beers out there that are so much better.

Serving type: can

03-12-2013 03:52:03 | More by Brotato

TheHammer

Ontario (Canada)

1.85/5  rDev -38.3%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 1.75

Appearance: Sickly yellow , boasting low, thin carbonation that poured with a finger of head that did not lace or retain very well.

Smell: It certainly has an acidic funk to it with an odd hard water smell backing it. Warming didn't really help or hurt it, but I wouldn't say it's appetizing in the least.

Taste: It starts with a sweet, swampy corn taste that builds and builds and ends with a brief earthy hop twang. That's really it, nothing too out of the box on this one.

Mouthfeel: It's got an acidic texture to it that is undesirable but other then that it's alright, the carbonation is ok and doesn't fall flat for a good long while. It does cloy a bit after a while.

Drinkability: That acidic tone really hurts my desire to get this stuff down, and doesn't quite settle right. It's also very uninteresting so it's really not something I want to continue drinking for any purpose other then getting smashed.

Final Thoughts: I finally found out why South Park lampooned this beer, but remain oblivious at how this has suddenly become a "hipster" beer. It's pretty much such a slapped together cheap lager, which I wouldn't really wish upon anyone.

Serving type: can

03-10-2013 08:38:28 | More by TheHammer

orcsinspace

Virginia

3.3/5  rDev +10%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

In a complicated world where a beer can only be considered "good" if it has chocolate or gingerbread, or some other things that do not belong in my beer, PBR is a breath of fresh air. As far as American Adjuncts go, this is neck in neck with the gold standard, Budweiser (sorry beer snobs), but PBR has a little more flavor.

It smells like beer. Everything you would expect: a little yeasty, a little malty, and not really over the top with hops. It has a balanced smell that does not smell stale like some other adjuncts can, and it is fairly subtle.

The taste is classic, and reminds me of a simpler time when beer was affordable for everyone and was not becoming increasingly gentrified: not too bold, not too watery, but just in the middle. The reason I like adjuncts is because they are very neutral beers on the whole; there is not an over the top taste that can burn one out quick, and there is not a taste that really has to be acquired. PBR nails the archetype of the adjunct, and I have bought 12 of them for less than a tall draft of beer that tastes like burnt coffee at the local craft beer bar down the street.

One thing I have noticed is that the beer market has trends, just like everything else. A lot of the microbrews that were big a decade ago went the way of Zima, and I imagine that the majority of the ones popular at the store now will as well. One thing is certain though: if I want a real tasting beer without gimmicks and pretense, I can always count on PBR.

Serving type: can

03-07-2013 16:37:00 | More by orcsinspace

Mrsunshine63755

Missouri

3.3/5  rDev +10%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Its like Liquid crack ! Great in 16 oz cans .Cant go wrong with PBR .Look @ inbev"The class action lawsuits filed thus far are based not on any scientific tests of the products, but rather on information from former Anheuser- Busch InBev employees who claim that the beer giant is watering down its products. These reports are coming not only from brewers and others who help make the beer, but also from employees outside of the brewing part of the business who report that weakening the brew is actually a part of Anheuser- Busch InBev’s corporate policy. This prompted California beer drinkers to seek legal action against the brewery and convinced lead attorney Josh Boxer to file the suit on behalf of consumers."

Serving type: can

03-07-2013 07:08:52 | More by Mrsunshine63755

BoFoSho

Washington

1.26/5  rDev -58%
look: 1.75 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 1.5

My friend returned from the kitchen with a cup full of what I thought was piss. He swore to me it wasn't, but I couldn't be sure. I smelled the "brew", and thought it was for sure urine. But I was thirsty, so I took a big gulp. My brain was telling me to spit it out and look for some real beer, but I was too polite and not drunk enough for such rash actions. Smells and tastes like water that has sat in a plastic bottle for two months. If there is anything that PBR is good for, it would be Keg Stands. One can drink this like water all day, and receive a blue ribbon for being the most low-class drinker around.

Serving type: can

03-05-2013 06:02:13 | More by BoFoSho

Quivalen

Arizona

3.88/5  rDev +29.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

Pbr one of the all time grand daddies of American pilsners or lagers . While I am not a fan of them , from time to time I have one . If you take into consideration what it is , its really not bad at all and honestly , you really can't beat the price . This is actually one of the American domestics that is not over carbonated , borderline flat , bland , and doesn't have an off or chemical taste to it .
It has a nice golden straw color , and a crisp clean pilsner type smell . Nothing pops out but honestly nothing is meant to .
It actually has really good head retention and will lace nicely in a glass , surprising considering this is something some more prestigious breweries have yet to figure out . It has decent mouth feel though very little malt or hops shines through .

If you are looking for a decent tasting enjoyable domestic it might fit your bill and its not bad stuff despite whatever anyone else might think , at least in my book !

Overall I really don't mind a pbr at all , especially and ice cold one on a hot Arizona summer afternoon .

Serving type: can

03-05-2013 02:31:48 | More by Quivalen

Khad

4.68/5  rDev +56%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Look you have to put everything in perspective. Obviously this is not the high quality handcrafted beer you would expect from this rating, however when compared to all in it's class this is far superior.

I find the best way to enjoy this beer is can poured into a glass. The appearance is a little nicer than most American style Lagers. Smell is a little grassy but it's not bad at all it's really kind of pleasant and refreshing scent not as skunky as most in it's class. The taste is very surprising with it being very crisp. You can pick up some grain but not overpowering. Very drinkable and no horrible after taste...the mouth feel is better than typical without the carbonation ruining your taste buds for the duration of the session. I think it's the best in it's class, definitely very drinkable, I liked it!

Serving type: can

03-04-2013 21:44:17 | More by Khad

Jsteez

New Mexico

2.89/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75

Poured from a 16 oz. can into a dimpled beer mug.

My 3rd beer in my hunt for an American great Adjunct Lager.

A-Pure white 1 finger head that dissipated into a thin white surface. Left minimal lacing on the glass. Pure yellow with a lot of carbonation.

S-grain, malt, cereal, corn. Pretty simple for an American reject.

T-This defines average. Corn, grain, malt, period. Aftertaste consists of sweet grain and malt. Maybe some sludge. Soda water taste.

M-dry, high carbonation, sweet malt crispness.

Overall-tastes good with spicy and salty food, and it needs to be very cold to taste okay. Very average, I only buy it when I feel like being cheap. A true American crud beer, drinkable, yes.

Serving type: can

02-24-2013 20:36:32 | More by Jsteez

RyanLaCount03

Wisconsin

3.85/5  rDev +28.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Overall I thought Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) was an OK beer. The taste wasn't as good as I expected, but it was still not a terrible beer. The appearance of the beer was nice, but the smell was not that good. If I was offered this beer sometime in the future again I would have one, but I would not buy it.

Serving type: can

02-20-2013 19:01:21 | More by RyanLaCount03

Kaytru

5/5  rDev +66.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

The best American Lager out there! Leaps and bounds better than its competitors. Not as watery, more of a bite and a refreshing malty finish. PBR ME ASAP!...if you like Classic Beer you need not look further PBR will do the trick. Cool brand aesthetics also!!!!

Serving type: can

02-15-2013 06:57:58 | More by Kaytru

MikeAAL

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +41.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

Pabst Blue Ribbon is one of my favorite beers. It's a classic.

Pale yellow, straw color. Quite a bit of carbonation. A little bit of a head, dissipates quickly.

It smells a bit metallic, grainy and hops.

It tastes light, carbonated and has a very nice hoppy flavor. A nice amount of bitters.

Light, fizzy and flavorful.

Overall, one of my favorite beers. It's definatley up there.

Serving type: can

02-08-2013 18:59:12 | More by MikeAAL

Treyliff

West Virginia

3.26/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

A-poured from a 16oz can. Pours with a pretty good size white fizzy head that quickly dissapears leaving some lively bubbles floating to the top. Crystal clear pale yellow in color.

S- light, sweet grainy malt with just a touch of grassy hop, clean

T- thin malt flavor, but way more than most adjuncts, it provides more of a grainy gritty taste, the only trace of hops is just a bit of grassiness, the finish is thin and dry, but leaves just a bit more grain

M- light bodied with lively medium carbonation, finishes pretty smooth

O- this is an adjunct lager, but compared to the others in its class, I think it's the best. More flavor and drinkability. Sometimes a light lager is needed, if that's the case, I'd choose PBR over the big three any day.

Serving type: can

02-06-2013 01:00:02 | More by Treyliff

Evansbeer

3.28/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The classic look of the can is an appeal. The red, white and blue represent an age old american traditional beer. Tastes a little more skunky than an average American beverage. A good party beer because its the best cheap beer available (beats Natural Ice 10-1). A good beer to drink your fill from.

Recommended by a college student, and a patriot

Serving type: can

02-05-2013 16:48:28 | More by Evansbeer

fps_dean

Massachusetts

2.4/5  rDev -20%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Fairly generic North American beer. More grainy and tastes less like saltwater than most of your generic North American mass-brewed beers (Bud, Coors, Miller, etc), but still a very North American lager.

Not something I would ever crave, but I give this one a 3 overall because unlike other mass-brewed North American beers, PBR is actually cheap, making it a much better buy.

I don't really drink so much that I'm going to shop based on price, but if I am having a large get together and need a large amount of beer, then PBR will save me a few dollars and satisfy your average beer drinker without breaking the bank.

Tastes better on a hot day.

Serving type: can

02-03-2013 22:26:04 | More by fps_dean

CascadianDarkAle1

2.78/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 3

Shotgunned from a 16 ounce Tallboy. Appearance is lacking due to method of consumption. A light, egg shell, off white head builds in my mouth, runs down my shirt and all over my face, lingering on my beard. Very pleasing. Aroma contains hints of aluminum, tap water, and sugar. Also vomit and pizza, but that may be due to the setting. Mouthfeel is highly carbonated and frigid all around. Very hard to swallow due to sheer volume and flowing pressure. The taste is surprisingly non existent. Hints of light caramel malt are muted by the loud chanting of "Chug" in a vicious circle around me. The palate is frozen. The belly is full. Overall a solid lager, I will enjoy another in a few seconds.

Serving type: can

01-30-2013 22:49:23 | More by CascadianDarkAle1

GorrestFump

3.03/5  rDev +1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

Unlike the tasters before me; I wake up and I want a PBR. Full-bodied, gross and cheap; however, PBR delivers. It is a true lager, just as much as a Samuel Adams, darker, fizzy and just All-American. I'm glad its a hipster beer, I'm glad its its on the same level as bud-light but quite not. I drank a Hamm's, as cheap as a Hamm's is, it's great. It 's just like PBR, survived most of contemporary American history. Its supremely average and weirdly watery. It's not a stout, it's not a pilsner, it's not a porter...It's an American-styled lager, whatever that may be. PBR Reminds me of the 4th of July, it reminds me of Senior year, it reminds me of an alternative crowd, its reminds me of every beer game I ever played. I'll stay loyal PBR as a case and nothing else.

Serving type: can

01-29-2013 06:31:00 | More by GorrestFump

devilben02

North Carolina

3.16/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

This is a beer that I gladly drink and enjoy on occasion, but I don't think I'll ever crave it. Poured from the can, it has a light, sunny yellow color and a thick but light, whipped-cream-like white head. The aroma has a light, dry sweetness underneath, but it is predominated by a dull mustiness that is expected but doesn't veer towards unpleasant like many in the style. The mild cereal sweetness is more pronounced in the flavor and melds with a wheat-like, almost lemony tanginess. Unfortunately, the fine, prickly carbonation in this beer is often my least favorite part of American lagers of this style. Overall, though, it has more and better flavor than the mass-produced light lagers, making it a fine option to have for nights when you just want a light-tasting beer.

Serving type: can

01-19-2013 05:14:46 | More by devilben02