What USA beer would you call the most classic to a beer lover from somewhere else?

My neighbor asked me that question. He's from Mexico and considers Corona a signature Mexican beer. I told him that I like Dos Equis dark just as much or more, and I aso agree that Corona is very good.

He put me on the spot asking about a "signature" beer for the USA. I didn't want to say Budweiser, because I don't consider it really good. I consider it a beer to drink if you aren't noticing the flavor much, not bad at all, but also nothing special.

Put on the spot, I said Sierra Nevada pale ale. I do consider that an exceptional beer, but Anchor Steam, Liberty Ale, Sam Adams and Yuengling have a claim to fame for sure. Some of the microbrews here in the northwest, such as Full Sail and Portland Brewing put Budweiser to shame.

What would your answer be? It's hard to nail down a certain brand or even a certain style of beer here. I think variety is our signature, but maybe that's a lame answer.

I call Budweiser the king of average beers.

Kinda depends on what you want in a taste...

I have a colleague from Germany who really likes Miller Genuine Draft. When he comes over to the states, I need to have an adequate supply on hand for both of us.

B****ser (and most of the the Anhuaser Busch family of products) are not generally well recieved, but I have other friends who swear by B*** Light (why? i have no idea...)

So many of the micro brewery offerings are regional, so they have no "national" presence to stand behind.

I think we can rule out Blatz, Schlitz, Hamms, Coors, and Miller High Life...

Saying that, there are some others that do offer "diversity"...

Miller Low Life too. There are some really great beers here imo, but none of my favorites is a top seller. Maybe that reflects on me :^)

While I prefer "better" beers, there is good argument for picking Bud. It is instantly recognizable and a great majority of people here in the US drink it. I think it kind of makes it our "signature" beer. Again, it may not be the best to put forward but it certainly has the recognition factor.

Back in the early 90s when we went to visit friends in Paris, they took us to a hypermart. Basically think of a grocery store with everything on one floor, a home improvement store on the second floor, and a general department store, K Mart type place on the third floor. Quite impressive.

What Chuck really wanted me to see there, though, was the beer aisle. He was a grad student at the U earlier, and a brewing partner of mine at one time. We get to the beer selection, which was like two major rows of all kinds of stuff. At the end of one row they had a display of special imported beers from various countries - England, Germany, Belgium, Japan and of course the United States.

The beer they picked to represent the US that month? Milwaukee's Best.

mjb.

Oh No!! :D

most popular is bud and coors light...


classic?


hmmm..."classic"

classic....doesn't have to be "good"

bud and I'd say....PBR Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Bud, no. PBR, definitely. Love it. Old Style is good, too, but it's more of a Chicago beer then an "American Classic" beer.

I d say Budweiser, my 2 cents here

I'm Australian, and we're pretty renowned for being copious consumers of beer (though wine is quickly catching up). Like in the US, there are many small and boutique brewers in Oz, and quite a few big names, like VB, Carlton, James Boag's, and Cascade. But now I live in Europe and when you mention Australian beer, there is one name that pops up 99% of the time.

You guessed it, Fosters.

I personally don't like it and I have never, ever seen anyone drink it back home, but in Europe it's marketed as "The Australian Beer". My guess is that most of the Fosters in Australia is brewed for export, because you rarely even see it available in pubs. My point is that as USA-ians you probably don't get to pick your own signature beer, it's decided for you by marketing companies and overseas public opinion. Another question might be: which beer would you like to represent your country?

I must be odd, but I enjoy an "oil can" of Fosters when it's one of the choices available, and it's also marketed here in the U.S. as, "Foster's, Australian for beer."

As a representative beer of the United States, I'd like to nominate Moose Drool, from Big Sky Brewing...

Big Sky Brewing : Home

Try it sometime when you're feeling a bit brave. :beer:

If I had to choose I would say either Anchor Steam, Yeungling, or Rogue Porter.

Which is funny, because I haven't seen Fosters sold widely in Australia since the 1980s...today it's hard to even find somewhere that sells it at all. It's probably 99.9% export.

On that note, I went to BEERFEST last weekend. Guests had to bring a beer from another country. People who brought beer to represent America brought....Budweiser.

I think Budweiser might be the Fosters of America....although you can actually buy Budweiser in Amercia :P

Fosters....Australian for export.

What USA beer would you call the most classic to a beer lover from somewhere else?

I would say that Schlitz and Budweiser could be called the most classic beers of america to a beer lover from elsewhere.
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Bud....oh right IBAB now.....
really threw St. Louis into a disbelief, family owned/run business that is a corner stone in our city is now run by a Belgium monolith? The sky is falling.

I would have to say Bud or Miller. My own personal choice for a mass produced brew would probably be Yeungling although I also like Michelob Amber Bock.

Willie

I really enjoy new belgium brewery! Fat tire may be the most well known, however they have some excellent beer! If you have never tried it check it out! I like the trippel myself. Atleast that is my fav. as far as a mass produced beer! Vino's in Little rock makes a great rainbow wheat. Ah beer I could talk about this for a while. So peace and here is to wonderful beer
tyler

Bud Light..but thats me.

New Belgium beer rocks! I like the Abbey Ale best.

When we were back in KC a couple weeks ago I noticed that they reintroduced the "Beer that made Milwaukee Famous" in it's 1960's formula once again. For those of you unfamiliar to that slogan it is called Schlitz. After all "When you're outta Schlitz, you're outta beer"

Actually I remember it wasn't half bad. It was very popular in the Chicago market. I remember a neighbor from up the street that, every time we saw him out during the summer months, he had a "Tall Boy" like in his hands. Hehehe. Wonder is we'll see some of the other clasics like Meister Brau as well. That was my fathers favorite and a very good American Beer until Miller took it over.

As far as American microbrews are concerned, there is so much variation that it would be impossible to identify a "signature" brew. With regard to big corporate breweries, we have a huge selection of "fizzy yellow beers" that are way more alike than they are different. To me, the most notable of these are the ones that have the least offensive taste. My vote among those goes to Miller High Life, but it's strictly a matter of preference.
As far as Mexican brews are concerned, I'd rather have a Milwackie's Worst than a Corona any day. Skunkiest beer I ever tasted. Negra Modelo and Tecate, mmmmm.....

I say two beers made by Budweiser:

1. Regular Bud in 16 oz cans. THAT'S 16 OUNCE CANS. Talls, you know, served really ice cold in a freezer cooled glass;

2. Budweiser American Ale, good and hoppy.

bud, miller, and coors are german beers that have been made here for years. slitz blats hamms shaffer and others are by-products of those beers and arent even close to what they once were.
my over all pick is brooklyn beer, but they take classic english beers and make them thier own, so is it classic american? well no beer is really classic american but the ones associated the most with the U.S. is bud, miller & coors

Anchor Steam and Sam Adams is what I would nominate to represent US.

It's been my understanding since about 1998 that beer really changed in the U.S. around WWII. While at the Big Tree Inn in Western NY State we were schooled about American beers, especially since we offered a menu that was 99.9% import and domestic Micro Brew and only .1% domestic mainstream brew. If I remember correctly, Genesee and Genny light were the only two we carried. The main thing was how the American brewers were faced with an up and coming work force that had to take on the war movement on the home front. Based on the "Rita the Riveter" character women were now the workforce and the brewers rose to the challenge of providing a brew that was more to their liking in taste. This is where thje modern day Pilsner comes into play. The beer needed to be less hearty than it's predecessor so that it could be enjoyed by the now dominant workforce after a days work. There are a few brews that remained as they were prior to the change but many of them have faded into the past. If I have missed anything or have added any mistaken info please correct in a post. Like I said this is what we were schooled on by the beer reps when we set up the Tavern at the restaurant so don't shoot the messenger.:look:

As far as an American brewed beer that could be considered a classic I would have to nominate Yuengling in Pottsville PA. Oldest American Brewery is it's claim and a pretty good bere too.

For a beer that is American by where it is produced but does happen to be Belgian Trappist influenced....... Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown and their signature Brew. As I said it is a Belgian style Trappist ale but it is technically still an American brew.

I'd also have to agree that Sam Adams could be in there as well. I ran a restaurant in Downers Grove IL back in the late 80's and I remember being one of the first to bring Sam Adams into the area. Old buddy from High School was the beer Rep and he talked me into it. Can't say I ever regretted the decision. It was one of the better beers I'd had and our best selling as well.

Joe-
What was your restaurant in Downers Grove?

We lived in Clarendon Hills at the time, and may have been customers of yours. :D

We were often at Founders Hill at about the time that Nicko was cooking there.

Mike

It depends on your definition of "signature" beer. If you want the type of beer that most Americans drink, get a Bud Light Can, and don't forget to get a foam cozy for it. If you want a good beer, I'll agree with the others and say Yuengling. It's always been my go to beer, but I live in Pittsburgh, so I'm probably biased. The oldest brewery thing holds some water too.

As a side note for you Yuengling drinkers, the beer I buy for a big party when I'm more concerned about quantity than quality, but still don't want to serve crap is Lion's Head, brewed in Willkes Barre PA. Only 15 bucks for a case of bottles and it's pretty similar to Yuengling. It claims it's a Pilsner, though really doesn't take much like one, and despite the claim of "The best head in town" there really isn't much head on the thing. Thing of Yuengling but slightly sweeter and a very pronounced corn taste. Haven't been able to find another beer to beat it for the price.

Lee

I grew up drinking Schells beer August Schell Brewing Company: Since 1860 but its more of a german beer than american.