# Premium beers that aren't premium any more **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** beer\ **Created:** [November 26, 2008, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602 "2008-11-26T20:23:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/1 "2008-11-26T20:23:50Z")
I was looking at a beer display the other other day and thought it was interesting to see how some of the premium beers from the major American breweries aren’t their premium brand any longer. #1. Miller High Life. In the 1970’s and 1980s, this was Miller Brewing’s flagship beer. Miller Lite eventually took over in sales as well as memorable advertising. Then Miller brought out Miller Genuine Draft as their premium regular beer. Miller tried to bring out a beer simply called “Miller” in the mid 1990s, but it never caught on. #2. Michelob Dry. Remember this beer? Popular and highly advertised in the late 1980s and early 1990s. I don’t think I’ve seen it in 10 years. #3. Bud Dry. Same story as above, although it was introduced in the early 1990s. “One taste and you’ll drink it dry.” Then Budweiser brought out… #4. Bud Ice. Ice beer was the thing in the mid 1990s. I still see Bud Ice at the store, but it is at the discount price level. Was Busch ever considered a premium beer? I remember it being heavily advertised when I was young. BTW, I’m using the term ‘premium beer’ to describe beers from major breweries that are usually sold at regular price and heavily marketed/promoted/advertised. I’m well aware most beer snobs despise all of the beers mentioned above. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/2 "2008-11-26T20:30:56Z")
Icehouse used to be a big deal back when it was introduced during the ice beer craze, but it’s terribly nasty beer and has been relegated to the discount section. ---
**Author:** ![Carl\_Corey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Carl\_Corey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carl_Corey)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/3 "2008-11-26T21:35:15Z")
I remember back in the '80s Heineken was considered a premium beer. I imagine some people still consider it one. I don’t. Now I want a Kenzinger. Only half an hour of work to go… ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/4 "2008-11-26T21:40:12Z")
When I was a wee child in western New York, I remember that every adult I saw drinking a beer was drinking a Gennesee Cream Ale as though it were manna of the gods. Then when I got to college, three states away, I found that Gennessee Cream Ale was sold in the same pile of discount beverages as the Blatz and Piels. I thought I’d hit the jack-pot. I was ready to call my grandfather and let him know they had Genny-Cream for $8 a case in Orono. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/5 "2008-11-26T23:01:35Z")
> [@Carl\_Corey](#): > > I remember back in the '80s Heineken was considered a premium beer. I imagine some people still consider it one. I don’t. > Now I want a Kenzinger. Only half an hour of work to go… You can add Beck’s and Foster’s to that list. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/6 "2008-11-26T23:16:32Z")
It hasn’t happened yet, but I await the day that Stella Artois ends up on the bottom shelf where it should be. It is the single most terrible joke foisted upon an unsuspecting American populace. ---
**Author:** ![Convict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Convict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Convict)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/7 "2008-11-26T23:30:15Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Was Busch ever considered a premium beer? I remember it being heavily advertised when I was young. I have no cite for this so take it as you will… When Gussie Busch bought the St. Louis Cardinals he wanted to rename the stadium they played in (Sportsman Park) to Budweiser Stadium. Major League Baseball denied the name change, not wanting to give the free advertising that would come with that change. Gussie instead renamed the stadium Busch Stadium in honor of himself (or so he told MLB). He then instructed his brewers to develop a new beer that would be named Busch, thus getting the free advertising that MLB did not want him to have. So, no, Busch was never considered a premium beer. ETA: I may have heard this story on the brewery tour in St. Louis. The date of purchase for the Cardinals (1953) and the release date of Busch Bavarian Beer (1955) seem to support this version of events. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/8 "2008-11-27T00:02:32Z")
Any local discount beer becomes a microbrewery premium beer by being transported five hundred miles. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/9 "2008-11-27T00:03:36Z")
I remember a lot of the “Head for the mountains” commercials in the 1970s and 1980s as well. As recently as the 10 years ago, I’d see Busch on tap at some bars. ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/10 "2008-11-27T00:14:47Z")
> [@Convict](#): > > I have no cite for this so take it as you will… > > When Gussie Busch bought the St. Louis Cardinals he wanted to rename the stadium they played in (Sportsman Park) to Budweiser Stadium. Major League Baseball denied the name change, **not wanting to give the free advertising that would come with that change**. Gussie instead renamed the stadium Busch Stadium in honor of himself (or so he told MLB). He then instructed his brewers to develop a new beer that would be named Busch, thus getting the free advertising that MLB did not want him to have. > > So, no, Busch was never considered a premium beer. > > ETA: I may have heard this story on the brewery tour in St. Louis. The date of purchase for the Cardinals (1953) and the release date of Busch Bavarian Beer (1955) seem to support this version of events. I’ve heard this story before. The only difference (in bold) was that the MLB didn’t want to promote an adult beverage. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/11 "2008-11-27T00:15:09Z")
I remember when Stroh’s was a respectable premium domestic beer. Then it became horrible discount crap. Not sure it’s even made anymore ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/12 "2008-11-27T00:16:35Z")
When I was younger, Henry Weinhard was considered a premium beer prior to the microbrew revolution. I don’t recall seeing it here in California for years now, even though it’s still made. And way back in high school, Michelob was considered high style, with Lowenbrau being downright exotic. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/13 "2008-11-27T00:18:53Z")
Heck, I remember when Coors was the beer to drink if you were a beer snob. Coors…seriously? Bleech. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![History\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b19c9b/32.png) [@History\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/History_Geek)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/14 "2008-11-27T00:58:51Z")
I seriously doubt it was ever considered “premium” in any way, but this thread got me to thinking that I haven’t seen a commercial for Hamm’s in years. Not even on fast-forward while watching on the Tivo. They had some goofy-ass bear in an innertube floating down the river… ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/15 "2008-11-27T01:15:23Z")
Well, I think Pabst Blue Ribbon was an award winning (eponymous), premium beer quite some time ago. It was our Great Grandparent’s Michelob. Maybe Colt 45 premium Malt Liquor during the 70’s? … Some of that and a sip of Crown Royal. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/16 "2008-11-27T01:33:41Z")
Also, the name shift and vodoo marketing that Pabst Blue Ribbon has undergone is quite interesting. They adopted the abbreviated PBR. Pee-Bee-ARRRRrrgghh. DAB (Dortmunder Actien Brauerei) is a similarly shitty beer that has benefitted from a similarly successful marketing style and abbreviation. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/17 "2008-11-27T01:36:17Z")
Don’t get me wrong, I really do like a PBR Draft… Nothing wrong with that beer, just out of taste and time. ---
**Author:** ![chique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/18 "2008-11-27T05:49:18Z")
> [@History\_Geek](#): > > I seriously doubt it was ever considered “premium” in any way, but this thread got me to thinking that I haven’t seen a commercial for Hamm’s in years. Not even on fast-forward while watching on the Tivo. They had some goofy-ass bear in an innertube floating down the river… o/~ From the land of sky blue waAAters (waAAters)… Bastard. Like I’m going to get _that_ out of my brain any time soon. [Grain Belt](http://www.brewskilights.com/greltneon2.jpg) is another Minnesota beer, though, but this one actually did have “premium” on its advertising. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/19 "2008-11-27T05:53:32Z")
> [@devilsknew](#): > > Don’t get me wrong, I really do like a PBR Draft… Nothing wrong with that beer, just out of taste and time. Pabst Blue Ribbon was the first beer I ever drank…my Gramps would pour me a Dixie cup from his can when I was little. Of course this was the early 70s and I’m sure it was a premium beer back then. At least it was to a 6 yo. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602/20 "2008-11-27T05:57:59Z")
> [@Queen\_Bruin](#): > > It hasn’t happened yet, but I await the day that Stella Artois ends up on the bottom shelf where it should be. > > It is the single most terrible joke foisted upon an unsuspecting American populace. It is [generic crappy beer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stella_Artois). Everything else is marketing. > [@](#): > > In its home market of Belgium, however, it [Stella] is marketed, priced and sold as a regular lager. Despite its success internationally, the number 1 selling beer in Belgium is its sister beer Jupiler. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-beers-that-arent-premium-any-more/474602.md?page=2)