Colt 45 Malt Liquor - Pabst Brewing Company

thehyperduck

Ontario (Canada)

2.01/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

710 mL can from The Beer Store; listed at a sturdy 8%. This is the Canadian version, presumably brewed and/or distributed by Sleeman like all of the other Pabst brands available in this country. I've never had this before, but watch in amazement as I continue to scrape barrel bottoms lower than any of those previously imagined, due to my insatiably unhealthy obsession with fulfilling my desire to find new beers to review.

Pours a pale golden colour, topped with over two fingers of foamy, soapy white head. Retention is surprisingly long-lasted as it takes more than a few minutes to gradually recede to a half-inch cap, leaving behind a scant smattering of lace in the process. Looks great for what it is. Unfortunately, the aroma is about what I'd expect - corn syrup, bubble gum, booze and pale malts, and not nearly enough of the latter to make up for the abundance of the first three.

This tastes bad, if not flat-out terrible. There's plenty of corn cob and malty, syrupy sweetness, with absolutely nothing else to balance it out. The finish is sweet with a hint of ethanol. Thin-bodied and very wet-tasting, with pretty low carbonation that gives it a smooth, flat mouthfeel. There's only one way to drink Colt 45 - quickly. The faster you numb your sense of taste, the faster you can keep drinking without having to taste this stuff.

Final Grade: 2.01, an ugly D-. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I guess sometimes reputations are just well-earned. Colt 45 tastes like ass, which may be why I've never seen anyone I know drink it, ever. Like any beverage with 8% alcohol in it, it'll get'cha drunk if that's your primary objective, but you'll want to drink it ice cold and rapidly, and probably out of a paper bag if you have any pride. I'm proud of my fellow countrymen; the fact that I've never seen anyone else stoop so low as to actually purchase this warms the cockles of my heart ever so slightly. Now excuse me while I finish this can, and then cry in the shower.

Serving type: can

04-19-2013 03:55:08 | More by thehyperduck

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

2.84/5  rDev +25.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

November 26, 2012 stamped on the bottom (best by or born on - unsure), here goes:

In a pint glass:

A: clear yellow body with a one and a half finger white foamy head, decent light spider web lacing, slow moving carbonation is rising

S: malts, corn, and rice

T: sweet through previously mentioned flavors

M: light, slightly creamy, sessionable, bland sweet corn aftertaste

O: interesting stuff, though I probably won't have it again, this wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, I say good for the style

Serving type: can

03-05-2013 14:41:11 | More by kangarooAdam59

emerge077

Illinois

2.98/5  rDev +31.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This marks some kind of personal malt liquor milestone, but I can't remember what at the moment, go figure...

Into a pint glass it pours a pale straw gold with a swarm of rising bubbles. Bright and clear, with lots of lacing surprisingly enough. Head retention isn't great however, and it fades after a minute or two.

Smells sweet like Apple Jacks cereal, and cereal grains in general. Not too offensive really, just sweet and bland.

Flavors are similar, sliced apples and some cereal grain. Thankfully it's not astringent really, as the worst offenders of the style are. Lighter carbonation over time, but it's still a bit gaseous and burp inducing. Drank this with no complaints to be honest. As far as malt liquors go, it's mad decent.

Serving type: can

04-22-2012 23:37:25 | More by emerge077

tdm168

North Carolina

2.63/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours a pale gold with a thin layer of loose, bubbly, white head that has little retention. The smell is very faint but sweet and grainy. The taste is grainy and very, very subtly grassy. The mouthfeel is very light and crisp.

This isn't a bad beer, but honestly even for the style there's nothing special here. It may be worth the cheap price tag for a a cheap drunk but otherwise avoid.

Serving type: can

03-02-2012 00:25:44 | More by tdm168

JoLight

Georgia

3.7/5  rDev +63%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance - golden, filtered, and a stark-white frothy head that retains very well.

Aroma - Sweetness, mostly corn.

Taste - unusually sweet, but then a general grain flavor. And literally almost no hop bitterness to speak of.

Mouthfeel - Carbonated and medium

Finish - Dry

Overall - It's peculiar, but there is nothing offensive about it. This is a good beer.

Serving type: can

09-22-2011 00:59:35 | More by JoLight

JayQue

Virginia

2.93/5  rDev +29.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This wasn't as bad as expected. In my quest for the 104 beer styles, American Malt liquor is one of the last ones on the list. I had a choice between a fo-tay of Mickeys and this. I chose the 24 oz rather than the fo-tay.

Poured into my Hooters 25 oz mug from a 24 oz can. Clear gold color, big white fizzy head, head retention is pretty good, lacing is minimal...not bad.

Smell is less than average. Mild, faint corn aroma. Hardly inviting. Taste is a bit stronger than the BMC usual lagers. Still a corn and rice mix with not much hoppiness, slightly sweet. This is drinkable as a lawnmower beer, nothing offensive about it.

Mouthfeel is less watery than some of the Amer. Adjunct Lagers. Not a great beer but the mouthfeel is at least as solid as the better cheap lagers. It is crisp, there is a bit of a stale aftertaste but is mostly refreshing if not good or memorable. I was expecting some nasty alcohol aftertaste, but I guess this is more of a problem with the higher octane Malt Liquors. This one is not in any way offensive.

Overall, an average experience...thirsty? hot? want a little buzz? This is certainly a cheap remedy.

Serving type: can

08-05-2011 20:56:37 | More by JayQue

barrenbane

Ohio

2.9/5  rDev +27.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Pale golden with a slight hue of orange, which is probably from the malt. Pours a small head that quickly dissipates. Lacing disappears within 30 seconds.

S - Corny, malty, and sweet. Only a slight hint of booze. Not too offensive.

T - One of the better malt liquors available. The malt makes it sweet and smooth. Very drinkable.

M - Has a decent body. Moderate carbonation that won't overwhelm.

O - For a malt liquor, it's quite tolerable. The alcohol content isn't too high, so it doesn't have a boozy aroma or flavor like others in its category. If you want a cheap moderate buzz, treat yourself to a deuce or a forty (brown bag included).

Serving type: can

08-05-2011 07:00:42 | More by barrenbane

BucBasil

South Carolina

1.68/5  rDev -26%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Drank from the 24oz can. I don't know how many more of these horrible beers I can take. Oh well... All in the name of beer exploration!

This one has that classic malt liquor sweet corny smell that can be detected from several feet away. It tinges your breath with the scent of sweet corn and death and lets everyone around you know that you are drinking some foul stuff. It reminds you of that bum you sat a few rows from on the Metro a couple of days ago who muttered to himself all the way home while sipping on a mysterious liquid in a brown paper bag, and now you are doing the same thing yourself. Each sip I take, I start muttering to myself, damn, what am I doing with my life. What Am I drinking? The taste is of corn and barley with a slight twinge of Wonder bread and failure. Finishes with an alcohol burn and an alcoholic's regret.

Horrible.

Serving type: can

05-01-2011 06:44:58 | More by BucBasil

WeezyBoPeep

Florida

2.4/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

Poured from a big can into a pint glass.

A: Looks ok, typical golden yellow with a decent amount of carbonation..a little wispy head and moderate lacing.

S: Weak and sour with corn traces and no hops.

T: Watery and thin with not much positive to say. Almost brings on an instant headache. Not too sweet at least. Nice mouthfeel I have to say.

D: I don't think I'd have more than one of these and the thought of having a 40? Maybe back when I was 14 that woulda been fun.

Value: Even for the price it pretty much sucks. Hmmm who can I give the other three of these to?

Serving type: can

04-22-2011 00:28:12 | More by WeezyBoPeep

esv

Virginia

4/5  rDev +76.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A) Bright-white head. Very porous. Looks highly carbonated. Crystal clear. Light champagne color. Looks like a big class of champagne. A little more straw than champagne. Head and light lacing all the way down?!?!

S) Corny nothingness

T) No real flavor. A slight nauseating sweet malt if you think about it too hard. I'm afraid that it's going to warm up though.

M) Light

O) Considering that it's a malt liquor, I think it's terribly drinkable and flavorless. In my book, this is a great malt liquor and the gutters and areas surrounding the street trash cans confirm it. ABV isn't nearly as high as I was thinking.

So I think this is an B+ malt liquor but can I really give a malt liquor beer an B+? Yes.

Serving type: can

03-27-2011 00:16:06 | More by esv

HalfFull

California

3.1/5  rDev +36.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Tall Boy can poured into a pint glass, I continue my exuberant sampling of a style so rare to me. And at 5.61%, not really much stronger than many an Adjunct Lager, what exactly defines this Malt Liquor thing? This can pours a clear and light straw, more like many a Light Lager. Half inch cap drifts away in short order with some lacing left behind. Better looking than Bud Light, but not by a long shot.

Nose of rice and a hint of corn along with some yeast. So-so and surely not as robust as others of the style. Taste is slightly sweet and creamy on the palate, yet reveals its PBR parentage as it warms given its spicy/sour yeast character which alone causes me to bump the nose by half a point.

Feel is a bit thin even with the creamy nature. Offers a bit of orange citrus on the finish followed by a slightly drying nature. A pumped up PBR? Not sure, but seems to share some roots. I prefer the dryer nature of the original.

Serving type: can

12-29-2010 06:59:33 | More by HalfFull

Lagerfeld

Wisconsin

3.63/5  rDev +59.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

let me start out this review by saying what needs to be said about colt 45 first - this is not a world class beer and we all know it, BUTTT it is a decent beer and for the price is better than miller/bud/coors light in my opinion - i think this beer gets so much negative reviews just because of the stigma behind "malt liquor" and the joke that only bums drink it - hell i know a lot of college students who drink it too - people are tired of the same old keystone/bud every weekend.

appearance - very average, looks the same every time that same yellow every time, never poured into a glass so no need to worry about reviewing the head or lacing lol

smell - average as well, very faint smell of alcohol

taste - good - not a complex taste by any means, nothing to savor or look for, no notes or hints to really pick out - this beer was made for you and your broke friends to enjoy on a TIGHT (im talkin TIGHT) budget.

mouthfeel/drinkability - pretty average but not bad at all has the right amount of carbonation so it goes down smooth - one of the easier beers to drink at 6% alcohol, much easier to drink than its HIGH GRAVITY counterpart which tastes nothing like beer

overall i give this beer a C based on every beer i have tried so far, based on me being a cheap bastard though i'd give it a B - not much you can find better for the price.

Serving type: can

11-26-2010 13:18:55 | More by Lagerfeld

AlCaponeJunior

Texas

2.13/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Crystal clear golden yellow with lots of carbonation, fair head and not a lot of lacing.

Smells of alcohol, grain, corn, slightly sweet malts.

Can't say this is my fav malt liquor. Tastes of alcohol, corn, adjuncts, grains, a bit sweet.

Feels average for the style. Wet and carbonated, light body, thin.

There are other cheep malt liquors I'd much rather drink on those days where I'm digging for change beneath the seats of my car.

Serving type: can

11-21-2010 14:06:50 | More by AlCaponeJunior

daliandragon

North Carolina

2.3/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Even before I knew what malt liquor was, I knew it was what Billy Dee drank. If it's good enough for Lando, it's good enough for me. Although I still expect it to be pretty poor.

Golden and clear with lots of carbonation. Filmy cap with a touch of lace. A ton of corn and nonsense in the nose. The taste is thin and corn addled but not abusive to the tongue or stomach like some malt liquors. More drinkable than most malt liquor or even ice beer. Colt .45, gets um every time...

Serving type: can

10-15-2010 01:53:01 | More by daliandragon

BeerNinja007

New Hampshire

1.53/5  rDev -32.6%
look: 1 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

24oz can, served cold.

Appearance... it's a can, I'm not gonna contaminate any of my glassware with this stuff. Smell: not too much aroma coming out of the little pop-top hole. Mostly aluminum. Taste is also a lot of aluminum and some malty funk. Thin and watery. Pretty terrible all around, there's better stuff available at this rock bottom price point.

Serving type: can

08-04-2010 00:00:15 | More by BeerNinja007

crossovert

Wisconsin

3.18/5  rDev +40.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Disclaimer, a C or a B rating from a malt liquor means it is tops for the style for me.

From a 12 oz can pours a thin gold into my vintage pbr glass, the head is big and white, quickly dissipating, leaves some lacing.

Smells like sweet malt with a pinch of corn and hops, actually a bit of a hop aroma per the style.

The flavor is a hint of caramel over a bed of adjunct lager, it hides the corn a bit better than other adjuncts.

Mouthfeel is actually alright for this cheap beer.

Drinkable when cold.

Prob the best adjunct lager out there.

Serving type: can

08-02-2010 22:47:06 | More by crossovert

hardy008

Minnesota

1.25/5  rDev -44.9%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

Pale gold with a white 1 finger head which is gone quickly. Smells of sweet malt, grain, and cheap alcohol. This taste like one cheap nasty beer. Corn, grain. sweet malt, some alcohol. Not at all pleasant.

Light to medium bodied, low carbonation, nothing to write home about. This was left over after a get together. I wonder why?

Serving type: can

07-03-2010 02:52:28 | More by hardy008

zeff80

Missouri

1.9/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Consumed as a Memorial Day BBQ joke.

A - Poured out a very clear, very bubbly straw yellow color with a small, short-lived head of white bubbly foam. No lacing at all.

S - It smelled of corn and booze. No hop presence detected at all.

T - Very sweet with a big corn/grain taste. Again, no hop bitterness at all.

M - It was crisp but still fairly chewy/sticky in terms of mouthfeel. Not good.

D - Could not finish my 24oz can. Just to sweet and messy.

Serving type: can

05-30-2010 01:58:33 | More by zeff80

ktrillionaire

Florida

3.5/5  rDev +54.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - I drank this drank out of the can. The can has that 'authentic' malt liquor look. Now, it is not a perfect '5', like, say, OE800 in the 64oz with the cider-jug handle, but it is pretty damn dope.

S - The smell (largely derived from retro-olfaction) is surprisingly competent. Some discernible hop bitterness, some sweaty-noble-continental Pils aroma, too. Not too cheap smelling, and certainly devoid of the malt liquor disgusting burnt plastic and hot rotgut in the 'nose'.

T - The taste is also surprisingly decent. Better than the standard BMC offerings, IMO. It has a well-balanced malt and hop, given the style... the fact that the malt and hop qualities are appreciable in this brew is commendable, in and of itself. Plus Billy Dee Williams is down with it, so it is obviously good. I don't think Lando Calrissian would lie.

M - Well-carbonated. Decent.

D - I have had many a malt liquor over the years. Tonight my buddy had a 4-pack at a street party, so I indulged. I think this is lesser than Haffenreffer or Crazy Horse (RIP), but way better than OE800, Mickey's, St. Ides, etc. The main problem, in my view, (aside from mediocre taste) is that it is disagreeable to the digestive system.

Serving type: can

05-17-2010 15:27:02 | More by ktrillionaire

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

3.88/5  rDev +70.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Colt 45 malt liquor has a pretty thick, white head and a yellow to golden color. Carbonation is higher than what is usually associated with malt liquors. Aroma is faint to nonexistent. The taste is mild, balanced, and has some bite to it. I'd say it has the stereotypical American-style lager taste profile. But, it is not too sweet. Mouth-feel is pretty light, but not watery. Colt 45 finished crisp and smooth. Overall, I rate this one very high. I enjoyed it and would recommend it. NOTE: only buy this in the can as the clear bottle allows light to spoil the product.

RJT

Serving type: can

04-26-2010 21:24:14 | More by RonaldTheriot

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

3.3/5  rDev +45.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz can served in a glass beer mug.

L - clear yellow color with a thin white head that got even thinner in a minute or two.
S - grainy, corn chips aroma.
T - grainy taste with some sweetness but not overly sweet or ethanol tasting like a lot of beers in this style can be.
F - lighter bodied with mild carbonation.
D - drinks a bit better than most malt liquors.

Serving type: can

04-25-2010 21:44:10 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

womencantsail

California

2.05/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

I strolled into the University Liquor Mart and said to the shopkeep: "Two of your finest malted beverages, sir". The store owner grinned and produced two cans of premium quality. The label read: Colt 45 Malt Liquor. This fine gentleman rang up a total of $3.50 and was even so kind as to provide complimentary protective brown paper covers (what a steal)!

Later on, as we parked our imported automobile in the campus parking lot, I began my pregame intramural volleyball warmup routine. I slid down the paper covering as though it were the undergarments of a fine woman of the night. The luscious aromas of corn, rice, and alcohol intoxicated my being.

I finally brought this divine creation to my lips and savored the rich, grainy, corn, rice, and alcoholic flavors. The elixir filled my mouth, leaving with it a light and airy reminder of its magnificence.

After taking several mighty gulps, I found myself in possession of an empty vessel. I signaled my completion of the beverage with a thunderous discharge of digestive gasses (which could be heard for several yards).

As my partner in crime mimicked my actions, we strolled towards the gym, pausing only at a trash receptacle to dispose of the evidence. It was at this time we vowed to never repeat these deeds. At least, not until next Tuesday.

Serving type: can

02-17-2010 07:52:25 | More by womencantsail

Shaw

Florida

2.4/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

From a 16-ounce can I bought at a gas station. Freshness date stamped on the bottom.

It's very yellow with a nice foamy white head.

It has a weird sweet, lightly grainy aroma.

The taste isn't very good, but it's not bad. Sweet and grainy.

Very light body with a tiny amount of substance.

Overall it's not very good. But I was expecting a disaster, and this beer beat my expectations.

Serving type: can

01-30-2010 04:08:57 | More by Shaw

Bitterbill

Wyoming

2.93/5  rDev +29.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

24oz can, best by? Nov 3 2009.

A clear and bubbly yellow gold colour with a finger's worth of foam.

It has a sweet cloying smell, slight note of charcoal, and very grainy.

The taste is of swwt malt/sugar(though not as strong as in the smell)some corny grain, and a light bitterness throughout. Not bad.

Close to medium bodied with the carbonation at a very brisk level. Head retention turns out to be better than average, nah, quite good actually.

This isn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I see the abv isn't outrageous so the huge dump of sugars to get the alcohol up there, like in many Malt Liquors, wasn't the route taken with this one. A 12oz sample would suit me better but the 24oz isn't the greatest chore I've ever put myself through. Bottom line, it's ok but it'll probably be years before I visit it again. ;^) I'm more of Mickey's Fine Malt Liquor fan...

Serving type: can

12-22-2009 00:05:24 | More by Bitterbill

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.05/5  rDev +34.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 16oz can into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a very pale yellow color with a short white head that fades quickly and leaves a spotty lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of adjuncts, light malts and touches of alcohol and hops.

T: The taste starts out with an adjunct and light malt sweetness that is quickly followed by the breadiness of grain and barley. I'm not getting the same alcohol bite in the taste that most other malt liquors have, but I'm guessing that it might be because this beer is on the low end of the ABV spectrum for the style. There's a mild hops presence which is normal. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and a little smooth, light-to-medium body, medium carbonation, clean finish.

D: A little tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, good representation of style, it's one of the better Malt Liquors that I've had and even though it's not the stronger one out there, it's still a cost-efficient way to get a buzz going, which is what this kind of beer is intended for.

Serving type: can

08-16-2009 00:38:03 | More by TheManiacalOne