Very interesting! I've never seen that one, either. I assume this is from the 80s, when breweries were trying to come up with the next "light beer phenomenon." Hudepohl in Cincinnati was the first in this low-alcohol genre, with a product called Pace.
Kind of bizarre, comparing yourself to the 500 pound gorilla right on the label.
Very funny isn't it....and saying half the alcohol meant to be a good thing...not half the calories or anything like that. Hopefully Leo will know more when he sees this.
This one escaped me too, and I'm a devotee of all of the Lion's historical brews: like Otto's oat bran beer, esslinger, peter pipin' porter, neuweiler, etc.
Although I am not a fan of light beer and in the 80's the low alcohol boast would have had a negative impact on me!
The Lion also made classics that were very early attempts at some of these weird categories: Red Baron cherry-flavored beer, Sting Ray clear malt (the first clear alcohol malt beverage, beating even the much-loved [ha, ha] Zima), and Calvin Coolers, among the first flavored malt-based coolers.
I remember all of the brews that Sam mentioned. Red Baron Cherry Beer. Sting Ray (in Rum and Gin and Tonic) flavors. I remember physically making all of those brews. Right before I started they actually made Kuhn's Cooler, which was straight up malt base for the holidays!. We also did all the Hope Beers. I remember doing Hope Red Rooster Ale, with dry ale yeast( my first experience with an ale), the brewmaster pitched the dry yeast into the old open wooden fermenters that we had at the time. When I came in the next morning to check on the brew, I opened up the cellar door and the their was at least a foot of foam all over the floor!!! Lots of stories to tell over my 21 year work history with the Lion.
Gosh I'm amazed at all of the brews that have come out of Lion over the years. Funny how we think the craft beer revolution "started" the unique and crazy beer offerings...in fact it looks like experimentation has been going on for years. I'd love to hear more and I think you have some great stories to tell Leo. Someday, perhaps if time allows we can get you to write some down for us to read. I for one am fastinated by the history of Lion and all of the interesting beverages (and stories) that have gone on there.
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Very interesting! I've never seen that one, either. I assume this is from the 80s, when breweries were trying to come up with the next "light beer phenomenon." Hudepohl in Cincinnati was the first in this low-alcohol genre, with a product called Pace.
ReplyDeleteKind of bizarre, comparing yourself to the 500 pound gorilla right on the label.
Very funny isn't it....and saying half the alcohol meant to be a good thing...not half the calories or anything like that. Hopefully Leo will know more when he sees this.
ReplyDeletePace...as in "Pace yourself?"
This one escaped me too, and I'm a devotee of all of the Lion's historical brews: like Otto's oat bran beer, esslinger, peter pipin' porter, neuweiler, etc.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am not a fan of light beer and in the 80's the low alcohol boast would have had a negative impact on me!
Me too...more alcohol please...
ReplyDeleteWow! This one escapes me. I will have to do some research on this one.
ReplyDeleteThanks Leo..I was hoping you'd check it out...
ReplyDeleteThe Lion also made classics that were very early attempts at some of these weird categories: Red Baron cherry-flavored beer, Sting Ray clear malt (the first clear alcohol malt beverage, beating even the much-loved [ha, ha] Zima), and Calvin Coolers, among the first flavored malt-based coolers.
ReplyDeleteGreat beer trivia from this brewery!
Thanks Sam...interesting isn;t it. I think this particular label seems to have generated some real interest.
ReplyDeleteI remember all of the brews that Sam mentioned. Red Baron Cherry Beer. Sting Ray (in Rum and Gin and Tonic) flavors. I remember physically making all of those brews. Right before I started they actually made Kuhn's Cooler, which was straight up malt base for the holidays!. We also did all the Hope Beers. I remember doing Hope Red Rooster Ale, with dry ale yeast( my first experience with an ale), the brewmaster pitched the dry yeast into the old open wooden fermenters that we had at the time. When I came in the next morning to check on the brew, I opened up the cellar door and the their was at least a foot of foam all over the floor!!! Lots of stories to tell over my 21 year work history with the Lion.
ReplyDeleteGosh I'm amazed at all of the brews that have come out of Lion over the years. Funny how we think the craft beer revolution "started" the unique and crazy beer offerings...in fact it looks like experimentation has been going on for years. I'd love to hear more and I think you have some great stories to tell Leo. Someday, perhaps if time allows we can get you to write some down for us to read. I for one am fastinated by the history of Lion and all of the interesting beverages (and stories) that have gone on there.
ReplyDeleteyeah leo, this site has lots of Lion fans...you should start your OWN blog!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget Otto's Oat Bran Beer!!!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for details on that beer and haven't seen much yet...any details Sam??
ReplyDelete