That Olde English 800 3.2 tops the list of the world’s worst beers at Rate Beer got a little press this past week, but that Olde English 800 sucks hardly ranks as news. Even if it does have its own Facebook page.
Back in 1978 James Robertson gave Old English (note the difference in spelling) 800, the version brewed at Ortlieb in Philadelphia, a hefty 12 in The Great American Beer Book. Not the worst (Fischer Pils received a 4, and there were many in single digits), but poor by any measure. And these numbers were earned in carefully conducted blind tastings (multiple tasters, highest and lowest scores tossed out, various adjustments made).
I wouldn’t have bothered were it not for the opportunity to pass along this drinking note: “One of the beers more like a ‘pop’ wine, strong aromatic flavor that is overdone. Too sweet for a beer drinker. Nor can I think of any food that would go with it.” (Not even a food pairing could save it, Alan.)
Nonetheless MillerCoors has seen fit to keep it alive, and to even brew it to a variety of strengths. You can have my invitation to that blind tasting.
For some reason that has always been carried by Ontario’s booze monopoly but I never had it. Yet… I bet it would go with oven french fries and microwaved egg rolls, foods of my youth. The LCBO describes it this way:
“Tasting Note
Medium-gold colour; fruity (banana/pear) aroma with a hint of grain; full-bodied and fruity with a touch of sweetness and a light, hoppy finish
Serving Suggestion
Pizza; pasta; fish & chips”
O
M
G
!
Of course, any blind tasting of Old(e) English can only be properly done just outside a dive liquor store in a bad neighborhood, with the bottles of Old(e) English held within a small paper bag.
I almost posted on those beers, but I thought–this misses the point. You really need to skim off all the industrial light lagers and see what you’re left with. (Although atrocitiies like Chelada count.) Now THAT would be an interesting list.
On the other hand, Michael Jackson’s first US “Pocket Guide” gave it one and a half stars -so, between “average” and “a well-made beer”. But, neither one was rating the 3.2 abw version (which is something of an oxymoron in itself- a 3.2 malt liquor. What, no NA version?). Jackson claimed it was the highest alcohol beer brewed in the US at the time, but that ignored Old Foghorn, and neglects Ballantine’s IPA- which was rated the same abv of OE at the time, 7.5%.
Still, there’s some strength (pun) to the brand. Pabst acquired it in the late 1970’s when they bought Blitz-Weinhard, yet in the late 1990’s when Miller and Pabst were divvying up the old Stroh and Heileman brands (including a number of malt liquors) Miller walked away with Olde English. Never understood that deal…
Also, the Old/Olde was a mistake on Robertson’s part- the Ortlieb version’s label (of the then still indie Blitz Weinhard owned brand) was printed opposite that entry in the first edition and clearly reads “Olde”.
Thanks, Jess. I had forgotten that when Miller got the the rights to Olde English it was considered something of a coup. Ratings aside, the beer is a money maker.
Yeah, the same thing happened with Hamm’s- long a Pabst brand (since the early 80’s, when they bought Olympia) but when the dust cleared in ’99 it wound up under Miller’s umbrella.
Maybe Pabst (not really Pabst, at all, by then but S&P) was just so happy to get Blatz back, they didn’t care which other long in decline mid-West brand Miller wanted.
Its funny. A few friends and I were talking about this the other day. The 3.2 OE800 goes like hot cakes in MN. Can’t buy alcohol over 3.2 in stores. They can sell this in stores and the bums love it.
Bums in stores buyin’ Old(e) English 3.2 like hotcakes — there’s a marketing dream. 😉
Wouldn’t think there’d be a lot of bums in MN, the weather as it is.
If you’re a bum, I’d expect bng for the buck is more important. 3.@% and tastes like garbage doesn’t seem like a good use of what little money you have. Add in living outside in Minnesota in October and I’d definitely want something more potent.
In CA, we have zero limitations to what you can buy at the corner store and the popular items are the 10% 32oz tall boys for $2. I’m sure they taste great.
Mario – I think you really need to organize a side-by-side blind tasting (or is that “go blind’?) of potent tall boys.
Exactly, Stan: OE800 gives new meaning to “blind tasting.”