Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) - Pabst Brewing Company

HopHead84

California

3/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

24oz can at the Wintersun concert at House of Blues LA on 11/29/2012. I paid $10 for this. Drinking it out of the can so who knows what color it is. Smells like rice, corn, and pils malt. A little metal. Taste is inoffensive. Sweet and corny adjunct lager with grainy notes. Tame bitterness. Not terrible but I wouldn't recommend paying $10 for 24oz. This is difficult for me to rate. To style it's spot on, but it's a wretched style.

Serving type: can

12-02-2012 13:02:36 | More by HopHead84

dougbassett

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

One of the "1001 Beers You Must Try Before You Die" -- #9 of the ones I've reviewed here.

I agree with what I take to be the general consensus on this one, that it's a bog-standard American mass produced lager but within it's own mileau it's pretty okay. I certainly think this is better than Miller, Coors or Yuengling, to name a few similar brands off the top of my head.

Pours a very pale yellow, very effervescent both in appearance and mouthfeel. A white head that holds more than you'd might think, although it will fade soon enough. Not much by way of a nose, I'd call in a thin, sour-grain mash kind of thing -- it smells remarkably like generic "beer", tell you the truth. The body is thin and the sour edge sort of rides all the way down the throat, with something like a crisp finish at the end, surprisingly enough.

Most known in America today as the "hipster's brand", this is not, by any means, a great beer but it is surprisingly reasonably potable, at least at colder temperatures.

Serving type: can

12-01-2012 22:50:32 | More by dougbassett

tectactoe

Michigan

3/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Had in bottles, cans, on tap, you name it. Pours a golden, deep-straw color with lots of clarity and a thin-ass white head that is gone before you can say "PBR". Aroma is full of bustling malts and grains, maybe a hint of corn, slightly metallic and copper-like, faint touch of very dry and crisp hops in the background. The taste pretty much follows right along with the nose, handfuls of malty goodness and thick rows of sweet grains swarm the palate; hops are hard to detect, but come in a little bit stronger during the latter half, tasting very dry, crisp, and leafy, no citrus or pine or anything like that. Bitterness is low, but then again so is the sweetness, so the beer remains balanced. Carbonation provides a super crisp and clean mouthfeel, enhancing some of the end-note malt flavors that roll around. Thin body, dry finish.

PBR is a pretty average beer, but it's certainly the American adjunct lager of choice, especially for the price. This stuff is dirt cheap, and plenty of bars around will carry it. Is it extremely flavorful and masterfully crafted? No, not really. But it's something nice and easy to drink when you just want something to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2012 12:34:26 | More by tectactoe

Winston_Smith

Kentucky

3.83/5  rDev +27.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Where do I start...

Appearance: It's straw-colored, but in a different way than other macro cheapos...nicer, more refined looking. Little head that disappears quickly.

Smell: Hoppy. Cereal and grains a bit as well.

Taste: This is the hops master of light, cheap beer. Granted, that isn't saying much, but man, do I enjoy this beer more than any other cheap blonde swill. I can't say what it is really... a certain intangible... that makes this beer just more enjoyable than your usual domestic piss. Great hoppy, semi-dry aftertaste for blonde piss as well. ;)

Mouthfeel: Perfect carbonation, and not too watery.

Overall: As a reader of this review will no doubt have noticed, I have an affinity to this beer. When I found it in college, it was all "Wow... there's a cheap alternative to BMC mainstream that actually tastes alright? Sign me up!" Cans are good, but in a bottle, it shines a bit more. If you haven't had it, you live under a rock.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 01:55:47 | More by Winston_Smith

Alextricity

Michigan

3.23/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Alright. Last night I had an eventful night in downtown Detroit. Already tipsy, my group found its way to Pizzapapalis where we had some MORE beers. At $2.75 for a 16oz can, I couldn't resist, and tried my first PBR.

The easiest way I can describe this beer is that it's like a Bud Light/Budweiser ... but with more flavor profile. It's just MUCH more enjoyable than either of those. Not just that, but it has a nice sweetness to it. This was my first PBR, but it won't be my last. It's cheap and tastes surprisingly decent.

*UPDATE*

I just bought a sixer for $6.48 because I was craving another PBR. The date on the bottles is 11-12-12, which is apparently the expiration date. I have to say, it tastes fine. Better than fine. Better than average. I like this beer. Plain and simple. It isn't bitter, and the malts are actually DECENT! Imagine THAT for an adjunct. I can see why this is a hipster beer, I think. I really like this beer ... especially because of its price point. Awesome stuff. Underrated, underappreciated.

Serving type: can

11-25-2012 17:03:38 | More by Alextricity

AgentMunky

California

3.2/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Served in a plastic "pint" glass at Slim's.

A: pale, pellucid, with light head. Some lacing!

S: skunky lager. I am sad and unimpressed.

T: this ain't half bad! Sweetish, with a malty-grainy character that doesn't cloy or overstay its welcome. Hops are faint but present. A generic beer that beats out some of the schlock with which I am compelled deal.

M: Bah, round malts. Sweet and forgettable.

O: The undisputed Titan of Cheap Beer. Will drink again. You know you will too.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2012 06:36:03 | More by AgentMunky

dhannes

Wisconsin

2.25/5  rDev -25%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

So after PBR won a Gold Medal (and my sister-in-law swears by it), I ordered a chilled bottle at a local restaurant. Poured into a standard pint.

A=A very, very light yellow...just a shade darker than water. Blinding white head of about 1/2".

S=A very, very faint hops aroma...but nothing else. Not appealing.

T=I admit I had somewhat high expectations, having not had one in over 20 years. Was extremely disappointed--very faint taste of hops and creamed corn, but that was it. Not bad, just almost no flavor at all.

M=Rather nice body, but, perhaps, a bit lighter than most. Slightly above average carbonation, with a sweet, smooth finish.

O=Not unpleasant, but almost no taste...the perfect example of "sex in a canoe."

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 23:30:02 | More by dhannes

OMills

3.1/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

A- Straw color in apperance. Very white head with some retention with minimal lacing.

S- Not too much, subtle sweetness and hints of corn. Nothing too crazy.

T- At first corn and some sweetness. It finishes off with more adjunct taste and some hops.

M- Medium/heavy carbonation and pretty watery. On par with most macro lagers.

O- In the end i'd say this is a great cheap beer. Much better than most other macro lagers, with noticeably more flavor and hop taste. It's my cheap go-to beer. It's nothing to get hyped over but, it's a good beer. Not much complaint here.

Serving type: can

11-08-2012 09:39:10 | More by OMills

mdfb79

New York

2.55/5  rDev -15%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

From 10/21/12 notes. Have had this many, many times, and had a few 16 oz. cans at Brother Jimmy's watching the Giants game. Poured into a pint glass to review it. Review #2300!

a - Pours a clear bright yellow color with one finger of fluffy white head and high carbonation evident.

s - Smells of grains, corn, a little sweet, cereal, biscuit malts, and bready malts. Not offensive but not much going on.

t - Tastes of grains, corn, water, wheat, bready malts, and lightly sweet. Matches the nose pretty closely; again, just not much going on.

m - Light body and moderate to high carbonation. Easy to drink for sure, though a tiny bit overcarbonated.

o - Overall not a good beer by any means; was actually surprised the overall rating was so high. I find it better than all other Miller products and better than Coors, and about on par with Bud Light, though slightly less watered down. Given the choice between this and a Bud Light I'd probably take a Bud Light, but I wouldn't really care either way. Not really sure why this is super popular with hipsters with so many better, also affordable options out there, but whatever.

Serving type: can

10-22-2012 19:25:25 | More by mdfb79

GoBruins

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

Beer starts and ends with an ice cold PBR. Yeah we all like a nice micro brew from time to time. Or having a nice stout or IPA when the mood strikes. But lets be honest there is nothing better than turning on the game, sitting back and cracking a Pabst Blue Ribbon. My only gripe is that Miller has chosen to skyrocket the price of this once working class beer. PBR is the best, hands down.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 06:15:32 | More by GoBruins

DrunkIrishman

Missouri

3.18/5  rDev +6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I can't really explain why I chose Pabst Blue Ribbon for my first review. Maybe it's because I never bothered to try it before this weekend, so I don't really have any preconceived notions about it. Or maybe it just seems fitting to review this particular brew given the "retro" mood I've been in lately. Doesn't matter really. Here we go:

Serving size: 12 oz can poured into a Pint glass

A: Light golden color topped with a 2.5 finger head (after an aggressive pour). Sixty seconds later, the head recedes to a light lacing. No visible carbonation bubbles after two minutes +/-.

S: Citrus-y and yeasty. Like an interesting combination of lemon grass and sour dough bread. Hmmm... Is that cornmeal I smell?

T: Wow. For an AAL, I was surprised how good this tasted. Sweet malt at the tip of the tongue gives way to an adjunct corn flavor at the center (not over-bearing) and a mild hop finish on the back end.

M: Here's my biggest criticism... A slick (almost oily) finish that lingers on the back of the tongue and mouth.

O: I'd chose PBR over Budweiser any day. A session-able beer at an economical price ($10 per 18-pack). A great choice for BBQs, bon-fires, hot summer days, or when mass consumption is not only necessary... but essential!!!

Follow up: 02/02/2013 Much to my surprise, Pabst Blue Ribbon has become my go-to beer of choice. All things considered I have come to love this brew! I continue to wonder why it took me over 20 years to finally give PBR a try. Give it an honest chance and perhaps you will, too.

Serving type: can

10-20-2012 21:00:14 | More by DrunkIrishman

kevanb

Illinois

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

12 oz can

PBR pours that typical golden color one would expect from an AAL, light white head, gone almost instantly leaving behind no head. Lots of fizzy bubbles rising to the top of the glass, slight chill haze. The aroma is of sweet corn, skunky malt and cereal grains, extremely simple, boring and kind of gross. The flavors are better, sweet malts, cereal grain, corn, pretty watery but surprisingly robust. There is less skunkiness on the tongue making this very easy to drink. The body is good, super light, very carbonated, a bit prickly on the tongue, nothing special.

Verdict: It's PBR, can't say I give it a great endorsement, but when compared to every other AAL, it's fantastic. Definitely my go to hipster beer and a great bargain beer.

Serving type: can

10-15-2012 21:53:32 | More by kevanb

ThePaleRider

California

2.8/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Clear and yellow just like you would expect. Bright white head quickly disappears and leaves you looking at more yellow on top.

S - Smells like malts, socks, and salt water. Reminds me of when I was a kid and everyone was drinking Bud.

T - For me, the colder the better. Not a whole lot of flavor going on. Malts, grass, and not a bad little bitter bite. As much as I hate to admit it, but the hipsters may be right. This is a very drinkable beer.

M - Cheap beer always packs an awesome amount of carbonation. Pretty much like drinking a soda.

O - Perfect beer for a BBQ or watching the game. The price is right and this beer is an old favorite that can pretty much please anyone.

Serving type: can

10-09-2012 21:21:34 | More by ThePaleRider

Bertman

Florida

3.7/5  rDev +23.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

nice head holds up well in glass

nice color rich amber, crystal clear

big nose, smells like a much more expensive beer

big American flavor, very easy drinking, balanced with a little bitter finish

thick and rich in the mouth.

this is my favorive saturday law mowing, game watching, chicken eating beer. nothing, made in America, is better on a hot day!

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 20:58:13 | More by Bertman

chrisinsf

California

3.85/5  rDev +28.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is my favorite adjunct lager. The cloyingly sweet grainy, corny taste of the most adjuncts is imperceptible in this one and I even taste the tiniest bit of hops on the finish.

Never mind that it is a "hipster beer", I'm too old to care about such things.

I did want to say that PBR seems to have some quality control issues. Every once in a while I get one that tastes of green apple. This is not normal. Most of the time I don't taste that at all.
I see some other reviewers mention that as well. If you taste green apple you got a bad batch.

Serving type: can

09-15-2012 19:12:04 | More by chrisinsf

Schneidermeister

Illinois

3.1/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

What'll ya have? Pabst Blue Ribbon! Pabst has a long and rich history in America, and it is one of the oldest beers commercially brewed in the U.S. Look at the can for God's sake. Red, white and blue through and through. Truly an American icon, and a classic taste among blue collar men everywhere. This is your grandpa's beer. Before the hipster craze set in, drinking this beer meant you were a working man, and you liked a simple beer. Simple beer for simple folks. But I don't find it so simple. I taste a very light, yet flavorful brew. A slight hops note from the get go, super bubbly mouthfeel that masks most of the flavor initially, but it follows through with that cold, crisp and refreshing yeastiness that we all know from American Adjunct Lagers toward the finish. Love it though I do, I will make one thing very clear. Don't ever drink this beer any warmer than ice cold, or it tastes like canned hay juice. I can tell you those of you who have not tried it how to best enjoy it. Bust your ass on a hot summer day doing some yard work, car work, or helping a friend move. Nothing beats an ice-cold Pabst at the end of a hard day's work. Pabst is an American classic, good for a budget beer, and perfect for any fourth of July barbecue. Great summer beer, and it never changes. It's not the best, not the worst. But hey, it's cheap, pretty tasty, and it's something everyone can enjoy. Great for parties, poker night, Cookouts...any occasion with friends and family fits the bill.

Serving type: can

09-14-2012 11:34:29 | More by Schneidermeister

StonedTrippin

Colorado

2.83/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

for a cheapo, i dont hate a pbr. its become the beer of choice for the indie/hipster crowd, which i guess is a turnoff, but the beer isnt awful. it pours clear and yellow and soda-like, watery for sure, but not ugly like a coors light. it smells like a can of crap beer honestly, some aluminum, some stale malt, and that patented adjunct malt stink. the flavor isnt bad, because it doesnt taste like anything. really, scarecely a trace of anything that would make this a beer, hops? no. yeast? nope. i could be drinking a carbonated water beverage here. however, its lightness lends to its drinkablility, and probably its incredibly low price. i know bars where these cost just a buck, and most of a time its no more than two bucks. its certainly a decent budget beer, but it takes about a 12er to catch a buzz. oh well, thought id chuck in my two cents on this one while im having one.

Serving type: can

09-12-2012 02:02:37 | More by StonedTrippin

mckenziac

3.23/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 oz. can into a Samuel Adams Boston Lager glass.

Appearance: Pours a translucent, pale yellow color with a large, fizzy head that dissipates quickly down to a small, tight, fizzy cap. Pretty standard macro lager territory here.

Smell: Light, grainy smell with perhaps a slight bit of aromatic hops. Again, nothing surprising here.

Taste: Slightly bitter up front. Finishes a little more bitter with a significant graininess. A slight, grainy sweetness is also present at the end.

Mouthfeel: Strongly carbonated with a thin body. In other words, a basic adjunct lager.

Overall: PBR is your basic, no frills adjunct lager. I personally find it preferable to Bud, Miller, or Coors, but I'm definitely not looking for a life-changing experience when I drink it. It's light, refreshing, and exceedingly drinkable. In other words, a successful adjunct lager.

Serving type: can

09-09-2012 18:25:08 | More by mckenziac

paulcdejean

3.48/5  rDev +16%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Great to have as your second, third, fourth, fifth, etc beer.

However not in NYC though. This beer is WAY TOO EXPENSIVE in Manhattan for what it is.

Very smooth and light, doesn't fill you up. Very inoffensive and not too fizzy, yet at the same time not too bland. Perfect for parties.

Serving type: can

09-09-2012 03:41:23 | More by paulcdejean

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev +34.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Mostly drank in a can.

Appearance- Golden yellow with white foamy head

Smell- Lots of grain, some wheat and a slight bitter hops smell

Taste- Grainy with a nice mellow hop balance

Mouthfeel- Very light with great carbonation that makes this the best tasting and drinkable Macro beer.

Overall- As stated about the grain flavor and and lightness mixed with perfect carbonation makes for a solid Macro beer.

Serving type: can

09-05-2012 17:38:13 | More by BrownAleMale

TheRealBigC

Nevada

3.05/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

For what it's worth, this is the best adjunct lager (perhaps sharing the title with Olympia). Everyone's had it, everyone knows what it's for. It's a great beer to bring to a big party and to order when money is tight. It's not a beer to drink for the enjoyment of beer, but for the enjoyment of the company that comes with it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2012 17:18:50 | More by TheRealBigC

mjurney

Texas

3.88/5  rDev +29.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear, pale gold color. Lots of bubble rising. Bright white head that dissipates.

Aroma is most grainy and corn with some grassy hops.

Light bodied, moderate carbonation and very smooth. Some grainy, some corn, just a kiss of grassy hops. Semi-dry finish.

One of the better Adjunct Lager; beats Bud, Miller and Coors.

Serving type: can

09-01-2012 22:38:36 | More by mjurney

mschind

California

3.63/5  rDev +21%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I don't drink this style much anymore but this was the one I grew up with in WI. Most folks in my family had a case of shorties around.

A- Clear bright straw color with a two finger foamy white head that leaves a little coating before quickly disappearing.

S- Grainy corn and mild grassy hops. Not much depth.

T-Clean mild malt. Bland and undemanding.

M- Fizzy, watery and light boidied.

O- This is exactly what it is supposed to be. I don't think I care to do enough comparisons to determine if this is the best of the style. As a homebrewer I know how difficult it is to consistently produce a clean light lager. Taste is good and it goes down easy.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 23:22:49 | More by mschind

ryantaussig

New York

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

If you need a nicely priced beer for just everyday drinking, this is the one to choose. It's got a nice clear color, a decent lace after the head dissipates, a slight smell of hops, smooth feel, and a pretty good flavor to boot. It isn't going to win any contests—well not since 1893—but that's not what it's about. It's a simple beer for when simple is good. In cans or in bottles it'll always be refreshing. Makes an excellent session beer and pairs well with burgers, dogs, and BBQ. At less than $10 for a 12-pack it won't make you cringe at the register either. PBR puts the big names to shame.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 23:12:59 | More by ryantaussig

snakeak47

Wisconsin

4.18/5  rDev +39.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Born and Raised in Green bay wisconsin. Where ever you go this is the beer you get. PBR is the man. I barel ever drink beer, but when i do, i drink PBR. Hard liquor is the best, but if all you got is beer, PBR better be what you got.

A - anyway, When you get the beer is a goldish color. I always drink it out of a can. only a few times have i drank it out of a bottle. i prefer the can.

S - Little skunky, not gonna lye. the smell can throw you off

T - I love the taste. Tastes like a classic beer. again, the hard liquor is what i love, but for some reason, this beer PBR, is delicous.

M - In the mouth, on the buds, its not that bad, goes down smooth, but after words, you can tell that you have taken a drink. It stays with you.

O - I can drink this all night long. I godda have some shtos inbetween. :P

Serving type: can

08-23-2012 06:31:41 | More by snakeak47