“What kind was it,” my friend asked.
“Budweiser, I think,” I replied. “My friend’s mom left us alone at home and we took back a sixer in the back yard. When she came home, she had no idea…at least I don’t think she did.”
“Did you ever drink forties?” he asked.
“I wouldn’t say I drank them a lot,” I started, “but my first forty was King Cobra. I kinda lean towards Mickey’s now if I’m driving into the deep, malt liquor black hole.”
That gave me the idea to write a blog about malt liquor and all of its glory. After all, one of my favorite songs is “Forty Ounces to Freedom” by Sublime.
Malt liquor is a strong lager or ale in which sugar and corn are added to the malted barley to boost the final alcoholic strength of the product. These brews (sometimes referred to as “Ghetto Wine”) are commonly sold in 40 oz bottles (Forty-Ounce, Forty or Foa-tay) as opposed to the standard 12oz bottle or can. They have been known to be produced in bottles up to 64oz at one point. Though imported “malt liquors” can be expensive, American domestic "malt liquors" tend to be very inexpensive and are usually less than $3.
Some of the better known malt liquors include Colt 45, Black Fist, Country Club, Olde English 800, Mickey's, Black Bull, Labatt Blue Dry, Wildcat, Molson Dry, Private Stock, St. Ides, Steel Reserve 211, King Cobra, Genesee, and Hurricane. Almost all of these have been endorsed by American rappers at some point and time. The highest ABV for a malt liquor is from Canada in Mountain Crest which comes in at 11%.
Recently, a local brewer (Dogfish Head Brewery) has sporadically produced a high-end bottle-conditioned forty called "Liquor de Malt.”
Here are a couple that I’ve tried in the past.
Colt 45 – 5.6% ABV
National Brewing Company introduced Colt 45 in 1963. Today, this malt liquor is owned by Pabst Brewing Company. Some may remember Billy Dee Williams who coined the phrase “It works every time” in the 1980’s ad campaign. In the early 1990’s, Colt 45 makers experimented briefly with a mint flavored beer (Cool Colt), a double malt version (Colt 45 Double Malt), and fruit based beer (Blast by Colt 45).St. Ides – 8.2% ABV
McKenzie River Corporation out of San Francisco, CA first introduced this high octane, malt liquor in 1987. At the time, It was brewed by Pabst Brewing Company and was eventually purchased by Pabst’s parent company Miller. Every rapper know to man has endorsed this product at some point whether in a musical tribute or an ad campaign. The original brew had 6.2%, but in the early 2000’s it jumped to 8.2% calling itself “High Gravity.”
Steel Reserve 211 – 8.1% ABV
This intoxicating beverage is produced in Fort Worth, TX by the Steel Brewing Company – a subsidiary of Miller Coors. The “211” which appears on the label is actually the medieval sign for steel. During the 28 day (minimum) brewing process, extra barley and hops are added to produce a higher gravity. First introduced by SABMiller in London, Steel Reserve also produces a Triple Export Malt Liquor which weighs in at 8.2% ABV.
Mickey’s – 5.8% ABV
For an everyday malt liquor, try Mickey’s. I think I just came up with a new ad champagne. This liquid remedy is best known for its 12oz grenade-shaped, stubby green bottles with a hornet on the label and secret codes under the caps. There is a reputation of Mickey’s being the “white guy’s” choice of malt liquor – yes, even I drank it in college. Today, Miller continues to produce Mickey’s which has become a sponsor of Ultimate Fighting in the USA.
Olde English 800 – 5.9%
Pabst began brewing Olde English (OE) in 1964 and sold the brewery and brand in 1999 to MillerCoors. They also produce a high gravity brew which comes in at 8.2% ABV. According to The New York Times, the "40-ounce bottle, introduced in the late 1980's with aggressive marketing campaigns aimed at minority drinkers" was by 1993 "fast becoming the intoxicant of choice for black and Hispanic youths in New York and other American cities.” Today, OE continues to win worldwide awards.
Hurricane – 5.9% ABV
MillerCoors can’t have all the fun with Malt Liquor! Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser) produces this low alcohol alternative in Missouri. Hurricane produces a pale, straw color with a full bodied taste with a bit of bite from the booze. They also produce a high gravity beer with 8.2% ABV.
King Cobra – 6% ABV
Introduced in 1984, King Cobra is brewed with a warmer fermentation than usually used for Anheuser-Bush’s pale lagers, and the ingredients include barley, malt and corn. As stated before, The Cobra was the first malt liquor I ever tried. I’m pretty sure that it cost around $1 back in the day. I remember drinking it from the bottle, just as most Forties should be consumed.
I won’t pick a winner here – I will let you try them out and decide. If you can’t take down the whole Forty, go out, buy one, invite some friends over and pour it out in solo cups. It’s like a poor man’s keg party!
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