# Having a Zima. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 15, 2017, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062 "2017-06-15T21:25:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/61 "2017-06-17T16:11:37Z")
My brother left a few Bud Lights in my fridge a few months ago, and I’ve hung on to them so I’ll know when I’ve hit bottom. I forgot that there was an even lower bottom. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/62 "2017-06-17T16:32:02Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Which macrobrews are over 5%??? There are quite a few that are not true microbrews (i.e., limited local distribution) that exceed 5%. But I agree that none of the national brewers make beverages over 5%. I was probably over-enthusiastic about the fact that virtually every place in the US now has quite a few local brews available and that they often top 5%. Mea culpa. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/63 "2017-06-17T16:33:05Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > _Pneumocystis jiroveci_ Pneumonia ?😕 PJP=Purple Jesus Punch ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/64 "2017-06-17T16:38:23Z")
> [@AnalogSignal](#): > > Nothing like kicking back with a Zima, listening to tunes on my Zune, and using other failed products that begin with a Z that I can’t think of right now. That’s the spirit! I don’t know about “failed.” The problem with Zima, IMHO, was that the product got associated with a certain demographic and sales plateaued. The sales were still respectable, but not what a national brewer wants to see. I probably accounted for 100% of the sales of Zima at the beachfront convenience store I patronized in the decade or so it was made. So…yeah, you’re right. It failed. I should have bought a lot more. (“Why is our branch store at the beach selling ALL the Zima we get?”) ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/65 "2017-06-17T16:44:42Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Which macrobrews are over 5%??? And…Basic Budweiser is about 5%. Nobody says that drinking two Buds will knock you on your butt. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/66 "2017-06-17T17:00:21Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > And…Basic Budweiser is about 5%. Nobody says that drinking two Buds will knock you on your butt. OK, I did my homework: Sierra Nevada Stout 5.8% Budweiser American Ale 5.3% Killian’s Irish Red 5.7% Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale 5.9% Michelob Pale Ale 5.9% Coors Winterfest 5.6% Blue Moon Full Moon Winter Ale 5.5% Redhook Nut Brown 5.6% Genesee Cream Ale 5.1% Shiner Hefeweizen 5.4% New Belgium Fat Tire 5.2% Negra Modelo 5.3% Blue Moon Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale 5.8% I think a few of these would qualify as “macrobrews.” ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/67 "2017-06-17T18:35:29Z")
I know some are 5.something but most macros keep their flagship at low 5s and light at low 4s. Sierra, New Belgium, etc are micros. The Killian’s ABV is given 3 different numbers but all are over 5%, so we’ll take that. Some of the others are seasonals or discontinued. American Ale hasn’t been in production for 6 years. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/68 "2017-06-17T19:54:07Z")
> [@](#): > > Having a Zima. Why?😕 ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/69 "2017-06-17T19:55:16Z")
> [@AnalogSignal](#): > > Nothing like kicking back with a Zima, listening to tunes on my Zune, and using other failed products that begin with a Z that I can’t think of right now. You have an odd definition of “failed”. It was in production for the US market for 14 years, has been in uninterrupted production for the Japanese market, and is now being reintroduced to the US market. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/70 "2017-06-17T21:57:40Z")
“My name is Talky Zima, and I’m going to _kill you_…” > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Huh. I’ve never heard Nickelback. They’re basically the only ambient-grind-trip-hop 8-piece out of Ireland’s County Clare that uses not one but two sousaphonists. > [@ZonexandScout](#): > > We used to sit in the beach\* and consume vast quantities of it.\*\* > [@ZonexandScout](#): > > \*\*10-12 bottles at a sitting That’s…combined…I hope? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/71 "2017-06-18T00:27:15Z")
> [@Eddie The Horrible](#): > > They’re basically the only ambient-grind-trip-hop 8-piece out of Ireland’s County Clare that uses not one but two sousaphonists. Part of me wants to watch one of their videos to rectify my ignorance. The other part of me [always watches this instead](https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/sour-milk/2868100?snl=1). ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/72 "2017-06-18T07:19:49Z")
Count me among those who don’t know why people hated it so much. The first time I ever “drank to excess,” it was Zima. It was 1994, and I had five of them that night (and before you sneer, yes, five bottles of anything qualifies as “drinking to excess” for me). I remember it as a lime-ish, less-sweet-than-7up kind of malty thing, certainly nothing offensive. Kind of like tonic water without the bitterness. I should try one now to see if I still like it. I’m sure my tastes have changed. When I drink now, I usually drink IPA. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/73 "2017-06-18T12:14:53Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > High five. Nice to know who’s my age on the board. 😃 > [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > But I’d better pick up some porn, jumbo tub of Crisco, and a box of condoms when I go. I don’t want to get embarrassed when I place Zima on the conveyor; better look like I wasn’t making a special trip. You forgot the rope and Neosporin. I have an acquaintance who would always pick up Circus Peanuts candy when he bought condoms so he wouldn’t feel embarrassed. So now I snicker whenever I see circus peanuts. Same idea. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/74 "2017-06-18T15:51:48Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > I know some are 5.something but most macros keep their flagship at low 5s and light at low 4s. Sierra, New Belgium, etc are micros. The Killian’s ABV is given 3 different numbers but all are over 5%, so we’ll take that. > > Some of the others are seasonals or discontinued. American Ale hasn’t been in production for 6 years. True, but I was trying to make the point that Zima’s ABV is not out of the range of the macrobrews. It’s pretty standard. And I don’t really consider Sierra Nevada to be a micro. It’s nationally distributed, though not produced on the level of the big boys. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/75 "2017-06-18T15:53:38Z")
> [@Eddie The Horrible](#): > > “My name is Talky Zima, and I’m going to _kill you_…” > They’re basically the only ambient-grind-trip-hop 8-piece out of Ireland’s County Clare that uses not one but two sousaphonists. > > That’s…combined…I hope? Nope. Get on the beach around 9:00A and off at 5:00P. That’s only about 1.5 per hour, so nothing extreme. ---
**Author:** ![Tinker\_Grey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tinker_grey/32/8136_2.png) [@Tinker\_Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinker_Grey)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/76 "2017-06-18T16:46:50Z")
IME it’s hard to purchase a craft beer below 5%. At my local watering hole, I’m routinely choosing between beers between 7 and 10 ABV. ---
**Author:** ![Tinker\_Grey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tinker_grey/32/8136_2.png) [@Tinker\_Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinker_Grey)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/77 "2017-06-18T16:58:43Z")
This article is interesting on several points, but point #5 indicates that the average ABV for craft beer is 5.9%. See [5 Beer Stats You Should Know](https://www.craftbeer.com/craft-beer-muses/craft-beer-by-the-numbers) ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/78 "2017-06-18T17:07:12Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > You forgot the rope and Neosporin. Nah, I picked that up when I made my monthly pregnancy test and single coathanger trip. > [@ZonexandScout](#): > > True, but I was trying to make the point that Zima’s ABV is not out of the range of the macrobrews. It’s pretty standard. > > And I don’t really consider Sierra Nevada to be a micro. It’s nationally distributed, though not produced on the level of the big boys. Ah. Thought you were making the opposite point. Sierra, New Belgium, and Boston (Sam Adams) are pushing it, true. While Shiner and Yuengling are too regional to be macro IMHO. > [@Tinker\_Grey](#): > > IME it’s hard to purchase a craft beer below 5%. At my local watering hole, I’m routinely choosing between beers between 7 and 10 ABV. True, though the newest beer trend seems to be Berliner Weisse, which is traditionally in the 3% range. The micro version might be a little higher but I still see sub 5% examples at breweries. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/79 "2017-06-18T17:20:16Z")
> [@Tinker\_Grey](#): > > IME it’s hard to purchase a craft beer below 5%. At my local watering hole, I’m routinely choosing between beers between 7 and 10 ABV. Ther beerporium where I drink has 36 beers on tab (and over 1,000 unique bottled beers). Draft ABV ranges from 3% shandies to 14% or higher. I take ABV into consideration when ordering, so I can enjoy 3 or 4 and be cool. My gf never considers the ABV and is sometimes shocked when she goes to stand up and can’t quite manage. ---
**Author:** ![Tinker\_Grey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tinker_grey/32/8136_2.png) [@Tinker\_Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinker_Grey)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062/80 "2017-06-18T17:44:10Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Ther beerporium where I drink has 36 beers on tab (and over 1,000 unique bottled beers). Draft ABV ranges from 3% shandies to 14% or higher. > > I take ABV into consideration when ordering, so I can enjoy 3 or 4 and be cool. My gf never considers the ABV and is sometimes shocked when she goes to stand up and can’t quite manage. This is the place I go (though a different location): [The Flying Saucer](https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g30141-d493443-r84437529-The_Flying_Saucer_Draught_Emporium-Addison_Texas.html). This location claims 200 on tap. I think the one I go to is closer to 100. In any case, they don’t have things like shandys. Even the ciders are higher than 5%. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-a-zima/789062.md?page=5)