Remember Erlanger beer? I sure do. I drank enough of it in the early to mid 80s when it was a premium choice beer and one of the few bright spots in a sea of bland macro lagers. A little maltier than the beers of the day with less adjunct character, it would not stand out by today's standards, but as I fondly recall those days they were certainly nothing like today. When Stroh brewed it, they claimed it was Reinheitsgebot compliant, so no adjuncts then.

Erlanger was first brewed by Schlitz, and I remember it in the thick stubby bottles as a pilsner style beer. Later, it was a quasi-Marzen brewed by Stroh after they acquired Schlitz. For its time, it was a decent beer, and I did enjoy it.

There were other "super premium" beers in those days, and they could usually be had for about a dollar more a six-pack than the national brands. Such super-premiums, along with imports and the budding craft beers of the early to mid 80s were always my beer of choice. It may seem silly in these days of many thousands of craft beer choices, but the sense of adventure in finding new and tasty beers then is likely gone forever. It is missed, just as I miss Erlanger.

 

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

 



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