Schlitz | JOS. Schlitz Brewing Co. (Pabst)
Brewed by:
JOS. Schlitz Brewing Co. (Pabst)
Illinois, United States
schlitzgusto.com
Style: American Adjunct Lager
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.60%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
Brewed under contract for Pabst by Miller Brewing Co.
Entry for 12 oz. cans and draft only.
"Classic 1960's formula" Schlitz reintroduced in 2008 is known as "Schlitz Gusto". Available in 12 oz. bottles, 16 oz. "tallboy" cans, and draft: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/106/44315
Added by BeerAngel on 05-29-2000
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
Ratings: 764 | Reviews: 329
Reviews by ThinkAgain:
2.75/5 rDev -9.2%
ThinkAgain, Apr 28, 2012
More User Reviews:
3.7/5 rDev +22.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Great retro can served up at Old Fashioned in Madison, WI. Appearance is what it is clear gold, lots of bubbles, almost no head, just a touch of skim. Aroma is corn, sweet malt, and a pinch or two of hops. Clean. Flavor is perfectly balanced macro lager. Hop bitterness and corn syrup sweetness match each other perfectly. Body is light and not overly sweet. Moderately crisp and partially dry finish. Extremely drinkable. A great beer almost as good as, and very similar to, PBR.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Great retro can served up at Old Fashioned in Madison, WI. Appearance is what it is clear gold, lots of bubbles, almost no head, just a touch of skim. Aroma is corn, sweet malt, and a pinch or two of hops. Clean. Flavor is perfectly balanced macro lager. Hop bitterness and corn syrup sweetness match each other perfectly. Body is light and not overly sweet. Moderately crisp and partially dry finish. Extremely drinkable. A great beer almost as good as, and very similar to, PBR.
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2.35/5 rDev -22.4%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5
I'm typing this review from notes, and I don't remember why I wrote this exactly, but the first words are "Smells- grassy hop and sulpher (more like farts and poo)" Hmmm.. Its possible I was just in a beligerent mood but I obviously did not find the smell appealing. I do remember why I did not like the appearance, it had no head and was seriously the color of pale, dirty water (these beers really are best from the can).
I have to say the taste actually pleasantly surprised me. It starts with a nice, sweet, bready grain, just a hint of rice astringency and alcohol before Schlitz actually delivers on its "kiss of the hops" slogan and adds a pleasant grassiness to a sweet aftertaste. Mouthfeel is midwieght, a little strupy, and dead save some grain astringency. I would be very interested in having this fresh on tap, where some of the issues might be resolved.
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look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5
I'm typing this review from notes, and I don't remember why I wrote this exactly, but the first words are "Smells- grassy hop and sulpher (more like farts and poo)" Hmmm.. Its possible I was just in a beligerent mood but I obviously did not find the smell appealing. I do remember why I did not like the appearance, it had no head and was seriously the color of pale, dirty water (these beers really are best from the can).
I have to say the taste actually pleasantly surprised me. It starts with a nice, sweet, bready grain, just a hint of rice astringency and alcohol before Schlitz actually delivers on its "kiss of the hops" slogan and adds a pleasant grassiness to a sweet aftertaste. Mouthfeel is midwieght, a little strupy, and dead save some grain astringency. I would be very interested in having this fresh on tap, where some of the issues might be resolved.
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2.5/5 rDev -17.5%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
I couldnt resist and have to do a Schlitz review. I mean, how you gonna run a succesful establishment, if you aint got no Schlitz malt liquor. Pale, pale, straw/piss yellow, bubbly bleach white head. dissipates, no retention or stick. hardly any nose, cheap grain, sugar. tastes pretty much the same. surprisingly sweet and not surprisingly dull. Just the kiss of hops is right. Sublte hop bitter on the finish tries to leave dry but sugar sticks around. Drinkable in the sense that its not offensive at all, but not drinkable in that its totally boring. Better than BMC but still whats the point of this. Got this can for free and couldnt resist crackin it as I wait for my pizza. Its iconic thats for damn sure, and I'd rather see people with a tall boy can in their hand than BMC any day. So rock on Schlitz with your mediocrity! You love it and we love you for it.
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look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
I couldnt resist and have to do a Schlitz review. I mean, how you gonna run a succesful establishment, if you aint got no Schlitz malt liquor. Pale, pale, straw/piss yellow, bubbly bleach white head. dissipates, no retention or stick. hardly any nose, cheap grain, sugar. tastes pretty much the same. surprisingly sweet and not surprisingly dull. Just the kiss of hops is right. Sublte hop bitter on the finish tries to leave dry but sugar sticks around. Drinkable in the sense that its not offensive at all, but not drinkable in that its totally boring. Better than BMC but still whats the point of this. Got this can for free and couldnt resist crackin it as I wait for my pizza. Its iconic thats for damn sure, and I'd rather see people with a tall boy can in their hand than BMC any day. So rock on Schlitz with your mediocrity! You love it and we love you for it.
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3.28/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
What we have here is a beer that is about as good as Pabst blue ribbon.
A- Typical straw yellow fluid with a fluffy foam head that stays around for a minute. Very bubbly.
S- Light corn and yeast with a very small amount of hops are there...barely.
T- Is a smooth and decent flavor beer. I notice a corn taste in the begining on to a barley hop with mild betterness finish.
M-D- Very easy on the mouth with little offensive flavor makes this beer worth trying... more than one!
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look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
What we have here is a beer that is about as good as Pabst blue ribbon.
A- Typical straw yellow fluid with a fluffy foam head that stays around for a minute. Very bubbly.
S- Light corn and yeast with a very small amount of hops are there...barely.
T- Is a smooth and decent flavor beer. I notice a corn taste in the begining on to a barley hop with mild betterness finish.
M-D- Very easy on the mouth with little offensive flavor makes this beer worth trying... more than one!
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2.83/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
12 oz can poured into a pilsner glass.
Pours a light golden color that is a bit darker than the usual BMC beer. A very grainy and slightly sweet malty aroma. The taste is light and crisp with a strong corn flavor. A dry finish with a metallic aftertaste (but not too unpleasant).
Overall this is a surprisingly smooth beer. I would definitely drink this over a huge macro any day.
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look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
12 oz can poured into a pilsner glass.
Pours a light golden color that is a bit darker than the usual BMC beer. A very grainy and slightly sweet malty aroma. The taste is light and crisp with a strong corn flavor. A dry finish with a metallic aftertaste (but not too unpleasant).
Overall this is a surprisingly smooth beer. I would definitely drink this over a huge macro any day.
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3.48/5 rDev +14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
It's hard to knock such a classic piece of American beer history. Sure it's not the best but I still love it's easy drinkability and touch of hops and sweetness.
$2 a pint down at one of my locals. Gotta love that!
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
It's hard to knock such a classic piece of American beer history. Sure it's not the best but I still love it's easy drinkability and touch of hops and sweetness.
$2 a pint down at one of my locals. Gotta love that!
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3.28/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 5
In can as it is on tap - basic drinkable beer, a cut above the advertised brands especially in hop character. $2.69 a six pack. Such a deal!!
No idea about the color, as it went from can to mouth on the express train. Smelled like canned beer, meaning that the DMS and malt graininess were accompanied by that can smell. Flavor-wise, it's as it is in bottle - a malty graininess, hints of cooked corn, and a mild hop bitterness that lasts until the end - with the usual and unfortunate addition of that aluminum can flavor. Eminently poundable. If you have the opportunity, buy the bottled version - unfortunately, bottles don't work too well at a speedway.
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look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 5
In can as it is on tap - basic drinkable beer, a cut above the advertised brands especially in hop character. $2.69 a six pack. Such a deal!!
No idea about the color, as it went from can to mouth on the express train. Smelled like canned beer, meaning that the DMS and malt graininess were accompanied by that can smell. Flavor-wise, it's as it is in bottle - a malty graininess, hints of cooked corn, and a mild hop bitterness that lasts until the end - with the usual and unfortunate addition of that aluminum can flavor. Eminently poundable. If you have the opportunity, buy the bottled version - unfortunately, bottles don't work too well at a speedway.
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3.75/5 rDev +23.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
16 oz can with no freshness date to be found. Just a kiss of the hops and The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous on the can.
Appearance: There is some decent lace that formed after the initial rush of foam.
Smell: Thick harshness of corn and hop, other than that no much else in the semi-clean aroma.
Taste & Mouthfeel: Very crisp light body, brash hop bitterness (Cluster?). The graininess takes a bite into the palate, some astringency in the back. Light on the malt with some alcohol in the middle. Clean and dry with a grainy in the finish.
Notes: Hands down this is my choice cheap lager, its right up there with PBR. This beer is served cheap at real bars and there is a bigger following for this brand than you think. Once the warm weather hits Schlitz and others like it will be on my mind.
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
16 oz can with no freshness date to be found. Just a kiss of the hops and The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous on the can.
Appearance: There is some decent lace that formed after the initial rush of foam.
Smell: Thick harshness of corn and hop, other than that no much else in the semi-clean aroma.
Taste & Mouthfeel: Very crisp light body, brash hop bitterness (Cluster?). The graininess takes a bite into the palate, some astringency in the back. Light on the malt with some alcohol in the middle. Clean and dry with a grainy in the finish.
Notes: Hands down this is my choice cheap lager, its right up there with PBR. This beer is served cheap at real bars and there is a bigger following for this brand than you think. Once the warm weather hits Schlitz and others like it will be on my mind.
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2.53/5 rDev -16.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
I admit, this beer takes me back to the 70's. "Just the kiss of the hops" and all that. This poured like an American macro lager, but with a drier head than others. Taste is of malted grains, corn in particular, with a very sweet mouthfeel. Hops are there, to be sure, but weak and unimpressive. The taste is in the malt, where you get a raw, grit-like character. A metalic taste is also present. I will try this in bottles next time.
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look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
I admit, this beer takes me back to the 70's. "Just the kiss of the hops" and all that. This poured like an American macro lager, but with a drier head than others. Taste is of malted grains, corn in particular, with a very sweet mouthfeel. Hops are there, to be sure, but weak and unimpressive. The taste is in the malt, where you get a raw, grit-like character. A metalic taste is also present. I will try this in bottles next time.
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3.05/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours a filtered, barely golden color with a white head that leaves no lacing. It almost has no color to it. Grainy and has a little floral hoppiness to it. Taste is grainy with an alcohol taste in the middle and a mix of hops and sweetness in the finish. Pretty light body, highly carbonated pretty smooth going down. Pretty decent beer for the price. More flavor than most others in the style.
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look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours a filtered, barely golden color with a white head that leaves no lacing. It almost has no color to it. Grainy and has a little floral hoppiness to it. Taste is grainy with an alcohol taste in the middle and a mix of hops and sweetness in the finish. Pretty light body, highly carbonated pretty smooth going down. Pretty decent beer for the price. More flavor than most others in the style.
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1.97/5 rDev -35%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
Good stuff for feeling low class. Yellow pour with white fuzz on top. Smells and tastes the same: watery, corny, and sweet, with the phantom of hops. For a super-low class beverage, this really wasn't as bad as the rap it gets. At least this one doesn't leave a terrible aftertaste in your mouth.
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look: 1.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
Good stuff for feeling low class. Yellow pour with white fuzz on top. Smells and tastes the same: watery, corny, and sweet, with the phantom of hops. For a super-low class beverage, this really wasn't as bad as the rap it gets. At least this one doesn't leave a terrible aftertaste in your mouth.
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2.32/5 rDev -23.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
There is nothing special about this beer. Light hops, with a slightly dirty grain taste.
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look: 2.5 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
There is nothing special about this beer. Light hops, with a slightly dirty grain taste.
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3.73/5 rDev +23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
As one friend of mine noted, this is a real man's beer. Not so sure what that means, but for what it is, I have to say that I like it. $5.49 for a 12 pack definitely puts it at the low end price-wise, and compared to most American macros, it's got some character. It pours deep golden with a nice thick head that leaves notable lacing around the glass (go with a chilled pilsner glass over a mug). The taste is clean, crisp, slightly sweet, and the "kiss of the hops" is definitely there.
Beer snobs, yuppies and their larvae will continue to put this down, but I like it. This is a beer that manages to taste good without breaking the bank, which makes it the epitome of the working man's brew. It's what I plan on drinking once I get home tonight, and I wish more places would carry it locally.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
As one friend of mine noted, this is a real man's beer. Not so sure what that means, but for what it is, I have to say that I like it. $5.49 for a 12 pack definitely puts it at the low end price-wise, and compared to most American macros, it's got some character. It pours deep golden with a nice thick head that leaves notable lacing around the glass (go with a chilled pilsner glass over a mug). The taste is clean, crisp, slightly sweet, and the "kiss of the hops" is definitely there.
Beer snobs, yuppies and their larvae will continue to put this down, but I like it. This is a beer that manages to taste good without breaking the bank, which makes it the epitome of the working man's brew. It's what I plan on drinking once I get home tonight, and I wish more places would carry it locally.
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Schlitz from JOS. Schlitz Brewing Co. (Pabst)
3.03
out of 5
based on 764 ratings.