A lineup of classic American beer bottles with condensation, set against a backdrop of the American flag, symbolizing the legacy of U.S. brewing history.

Classic American Beers Every Drink-Lover Should Know

America has a long, proud history of brewing beer—some of it legendary, some of it questionable, and some of it responsible for your uncle passing out at last year’s Fourth of July BBQ. But through the decades, a handful of beers have stood the test of time, cementing themselves as true American classics.

Whether they’re still made in the USA or have gone corporate on us, these beers have shaped America’s drinking culture and earned a spot in every fridge at least once.

Let’s crack one open and take a boozy stroll through American beer history. 🍺🇺🇸

1. Budweiser – The King of Beers (Or Was, Until It Wasn’t)

  • Founded: 1876, St. Louis, MO
  • Still American-owned? ❌ No (Owned by AB InBev, a Belgium-based company)
  • Still brewed in the USA? ✅ Yes

Once the undisputed King of Beers, Budweiser built its empire on crisp, easy-drinking lager and some of the biggest marketing campaigns in beer history. The Clydesdales? Legendary. The “Wassup” commercials? Iconic.

But in 2008, Budweiser was sold to Anheuser-Busch InBev, a Belgium-based company, which didn’t sit well with a lot of American beer drinkers. While Bud is still brewed in the USA, its status as an “American” beer is now up for debate.

One thing’s for sure: It still sells like crazy, and you’ll find it at every tailgate, BBQ, and baseball game.

2. Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) – The Working Man’s Hero

  • Founded: 1844, Milwaukee, WI
  • Still American-owned? ✅ Yes
  • Still brewed in the USA? ✅ Yes

PBR was the king of blue-collar beers in the early 1900s, slamming down blue ribbons at beer competitions before eventually falling off the map in the ‘80s. But just when it looked like Pabst was headed for the retirement home, hipsters and dive bars resurrected it from the dead.

Now, both old-school drinkers and ironic college kids raise a PBR in salute to a beer that just won’t quit.

3. Yuengling – The OG American Brewery

  • Founded: 1829, Pottsville, PA
  • Still American-owned? ✅ Yes
  • Still brewed in the USA? ✅ Yes

America’s oldest operating brewery, Yuengling has been around since before Andrew Jackson was president. The lager is smooth, easy to drink, and the closest thing to a “secret handshake” among East Coasters who swear by it.

For years, Yuengling was hard to find outside Pennsylvania, but now it’s slowly expanding, giving more Americans a taste of what a real classic lager should be.

4. Miller High Life – The Champagne of Beers (Apparently)

  • Founded: 1903, Milwaukee, WI
  • Still American-owned? ❌ No (Owned by Molson Coors, a U.S.-Canadian company)
  • Still brewed in the USA? ✅ Yes

Marketed as the "Champagne of Beers," Miller High Life has been fueling backyard BBQs and dive bars for over a century. It’s bubbly, golden, and goes down smooth—especially if you’re drinking it out of one of those fancy little stubby bottles.

Is it actually Champagne? Absolutely not.
Will it still get the job done? Hell yes.

5. Coors Banquet – The Beer That Had to be Smuggled

  • Founded: 1873, Golden, CO
  • Still American-owned? ❌ No (Owned by Molson Coors, a U.S.-Canadian company)
  • Still brewed in the USA? ✅ Yes

Before Coors Banquet was available nationwide, it was so exclusive to Colorado that people had to bootleg it across state lines like Prohibition was still a thing.

It became a cult favorite, especially after every action hero in the ‘80s seemed to have a Coors Banquet in hand. Today, it’s still brewed in Golden, Colorado, but now you don’t have to smuggle it in your trunk to get some.

6. Schlitz – “The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous”

  • Founded: 1849, Milwaukee, WI
  • Still American-owned? ❌ No (Owned by Pabst Brewing Company)
  • Still brewed in the USA? ✅ Yes

Once the biggest beer in America, Schlitz was the go-to drink for factory workers, truckers, and anyone who wanted a cold one without the fuss. But a bad recipe change in the ‘70s sent Schlitz into a downward spiral, and it never fully recovered.

Still, if you find a Schlitz tallboy in the wild, grab it. It’s a slice of beer history in a can.

7. Old Milwaukee – The Underdog Lager

  • Founded: 1934, Milwaukee, WI
  • Still American-owned? ❌ No (Owned by Pabst Brewing Company)
  • Still brewed in the USA? ✅ Yes

Not to be confused with the more famous "Milwaukee’s Best" (aka, the beer of bad college decisions), Old Milwaukee is one of those beers that quietly does its job without much recognition.

It’s crisp, no-frills, and one of the better budget lagers out there. Think of it as the working man’s alternative to the big-name light beers.

Final Thoughts: A Toast to American Beer

Classic American beers come in many forms—some fought their way back from the dead, some became legends, and some are still waiting for their comeback.

Whether you’re team PBR, a Yuengling loyalist, or just here for the nostalgia, these beers helped shape America’s drinking culture.

🍻 What’s your go-to classic American beer? Drop your favorite in the comments and let’s raise a glass to the beers that built this country!

🔥 And don’t forget—if you love beer, Beer Strong’s got the gear to match your drinking style. Shop our beer-inspired collection here.

Sources:

    1. Yuengling’s Brewery History - Yuengling.com
    2. Pabst Blue Ribbon History - Pabst.com
    3. The Coors Banquet Story - MolsonCoors.com
    4. Miller High Life - MillerHighLife.com
    5. The Rise & Fall of Schlitz - BeerHistory.com
    6. Budweiser’s History - Budweiser.com
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