Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) - Pabst Brewing Company

Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR)Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR)

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BA SCORE
70
okay
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2,900 Ratings
THE BROS
83
good
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rAvg: 3
pDev: 24%
Reviews: 1382
Hads: 1518

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Brewed by:
Pabst Brewing Company visit their website
Illinois, United States

Style | ABV
American Adjunct Lager |  4.74% ABV

Availability: Year-round. can (900), bottle (305), on-tap (174), cask (1), nitro-tap (1), growler (1)

Notes:
No notes at this time.
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Reviews

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Photo of Mrsunshine63755
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
Photo of BoFoSho
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
Photo of Quivalen
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
Photo of Khad
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
Photo of Maxwell
Maxwell

Massachusetts

3.4/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

The PBR pours like a kellerweizen, piss yellow with a nice fluffy eggshell white head, though that skims down to a quarter of a fingers width quite quickly. The beer’s body is water clear with a torrent of bubbles working to the top of the glass. In truth, the beer looks a little like ginger ale in the glass. The beer’s head leaves a lacing of medium sized and tightly packed bubbles on the sides of the glass in sparse scraggly lines. On the nose, the beer smells weakly of sweet grassy malts with a touch of caramel. That stale grain smell that is found in most cheap lagers is also present here. It actually smells better than some of the other cheap lagers I’ve reviewed. It’s not amazing, but it doesn’t turn my stomach either, and it doesn’t have a completely bland character. On the tongue, the beer tastes sweetly bready with a touch of acid and the faintest touch of salt. The beer’s flavors begin with water, slowly opening into stale bread and grassy hops that turn hay-like. The finish is clean and quick, giving that slightly vegetal chemical sweet taste that all cheap lagers have. On the mouth, the beer feels thin, with a medium light carbonation that does fluff the tongue. The mouth is left wet after the beer passes. This beer is supremely drinkable, which is why it still exists today. It also leaves the mouth in flavor soon after it travels down your throat. Overall, this is PBR. It is cheap beer, but it is not offensive. It’s just pretty flavorless. To PBR’s credit, I find more flavor in it than in other comparable cheap lagers that I’ve reviewed (i.e. Red Stripe…). Buy a thirty if you want to cheaply drink yourself stupid. It is not the worst thing you could drink.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 21:08:30 | More by Maxwell
Photo of Jsteez
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
Photo of IXCII
IXCII

California

3.98/5  rDev +32.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Pabst is my stand-by cheap beer. It's truly the water of beers. Light, crisp, and refreshing and doesn't carry any of the "piss" aroma of the competition.

It's better than Natty, it's better than Stella, it's better than Bud Light, it's even better than Bud Light Lime!

A tall can of PBR is the true champagne of beers!

Serving type: on-tap

02-23-2013 07:50:24 | More by IXCII
Photo of RyanLaCount03
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
Photo of Kaytru
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
Photo of MikeAAL
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
Photo of Treyliff
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
Photo of Evansbeer
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
Photo of fps_dean
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
Photo of CascadianDarkAle1
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
Photo of GorrestFump
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
Photo of devilben02
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
Photo of kismet
kismet

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

bready, slightly sweet, lots of grain in the flavor. a bit of lemony hop bitterness on the tail end of the swallow. very drinkable... when served very cold, it goes great with pizza, wings, mexican food, etc. also pretty refreshing as a relaxing beer after a day of labor. no bells and whistles, but definitely solid for the pricepoint...$5.50 for 12 bottles.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 03:17:12 | More by kismet
Photo of LiquidAmber
LiquidAmber

Washington

3.13/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a shaker pint glass. Pours a pale yellow with a gold tint. A finger and a half of white head with good retention and lacing. Aroma of malt, cereal, light malt; light mineral and a hint of skunk (odd from a brown bottled beer). Pleasant flavor of biscuit malt, sweet wheat and light finishing hops. No evidence of mineral or skunk from the aroma. Flavor is light to moderate and well balanced for its style. Light bodied, as expected. A pleasant surprise for an adjunct lager. If I'm ever trapped in no-craft-beer purgatory, I will pick this up.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 05:00:00 | More by LiquidAmber
Photo of barczar
barczar

Kentucky

3.05/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a brilliant golden with a shiny, eggy one inch head that slowly dissipates, leaving spotty lacing.

Grain, corn, bready malt, and floral hop notes form the aroma. There's a bit of cardboard evident.

Flavor is slightly sweet initially, with a grainy, slightly stale malt backbone carrying into a fairly dry finish. A metallic, slightly tangy element surfaces in the aftertaste, along with alcohol.

Body is moderate, with carbonation a touch on the high side. There's an astringent bite.

More malt flavor than some examples of the style, but the tang is offputting.

Serving type: can

12-27-2012 23:55:54 | More by barczar
Photo of Jamesp96
Jamesp96


1.5/5  rDev -50%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

One of the shittiest beers out there, i cant stand the after taste , that after taste you get just ruins it for me , all you get is corn and metallic taste , never buying this corn cooler again. I would much perefer a budweiser or busch to this at least your not geting that terrable after taste

Serving type: can

12-20-2012 22:53:55 | More by Jamesp96
Photo of ilovemacros
ilovemacros


4.55/5  rDev +51.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

this is a great beer. Classic American brew. People would laugh when I would buy this, but when when they tasted it they quit laughing lol. Ive only had this in cans. For some reason her in my lil corner of Texas they do not sell it in bottles. Hell, sometimes I'm lucky if I can find it at all. For a while I had to go to San Antonio to find it. Even there it was only in cans...ugh. Such a great beer should be on every shelf just as Bud and Bud Light.

Serving type: can

12-20-2012 03:56:58 | More by ilovemacros
Photo of Scrylol
Scrylol

Alberta (Canada)

2.9/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a one finger white bubbly head. Golden colored body.

Very faint hop aromas. Overpowered by grainy adjunct like aromas and a slight metallic tinge to it.

Low hop bitterness. Slight malt presence, but all is soon overpowered by a grainy taste. Leaves a dry, semi-sweet aftertaste.

Bit more body to it than other AAL's. Decent carbonation.

Not very impressed, but I suppose compared to other American Adjunct Lagers, PBR is probably one of the better ones.

Serving type: can

12-15-2012 05:30:24 | More by Scrylol
Photo of BucannonXC5
BucannonXC5

California

3.73/5  rDev +24.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Type: 12-oz. can
Glass: Pilsner glass
From: A 7/11 in Allied Gardens (San Diego, Calif.)
Price: $11.99 for the 18-pack
Misc.: Expiration date of Feb. 18, 2013

Yellow golden clear with three fingers of frothy white head that surprisingly had some last to it. Light sporadic lacing and decent retention for the style. Lots of bubbles.

Smelled grain, corn, cereal (Captain Crunch), hay, bread and a bit of some kind of rotten fruit. That being said, it wasn’t too bad overall.

Tasted cereal once again, some kind of hybrid of Shredded Wheat, Captain Crunch and Kix. Also got hay, grain and honey grass.

Light-to-moderate body. Thin texture. Lively (above average)-to-average carbonation. Abrupt finish.

Considering the style, this may be the best. In fact, I was quite surprised I enjoyed this as much as I did. It’s been awhile since I had one. While I’m still partial to the tall boy in a bag, the 12-oz. can has some staying power as well.

Serving type: can

12-14-2012 08:53:05 | More by BucannonXC5
Photo of metter98
metter98

New York

3.08/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: The beer is clear light yellow in color and has a moderate amount of carbonation. It poured with a finger high bright white head that died down but consistently left a thin head covering the surface.
S: There are moderately strong aromas of adjunct malts in the nose-corn seems to stand out in particular.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and has flavors of corn adjuncts and a light amount of bitterness.
M: It feels light-bodied (but not watery) on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is very easy to drink and has no offensive flavors. It's noting special, but pretty good when compared to other beers in the style.

Serving type: can

12-14-2012 02:45:16 | More by metter98
Photo of Cooldill
Cooldill

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev +15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served out of a can into a .5L mug.

A: Pale yellow color is more similar to a good Pils instead of your average adjunct lager hue. It's not bad. Carbonation is moderate to high, two fingers of white soapy head dissipate slower than expected. Not at all a bad looking brew for the style.

S: Grain and corn first and foremost, light hops and grass, slight lemon. Again much better than most adjunct lagers, this actually HAS a scent!

T: Corn and grain sweetness. Some light malts. Surprising light bitterness (as in it actually has some bitterness) with light but noticeable lemony hop aftertaste. Impressed.

M: Nice balanced carbonation. Not as watery and thin of others in it's class.

O: The best American adjunct lager I have ever had. Refreshing and tasty. I have had this straight from the can, but would urge you pour this in a proper glass. It will open up a lot.

Serving type: can

12-03-2012 13:53:07 | More by Cooldill
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Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) from Pabst Brewing Company
70 out of 100 based on 2,900 user ratings.