The cancer of Beers

[bbqLuv]

Like a cancer grows


When was Coors available in all 50 states? (coalitionbrewing.com)

Why was Coors beer illegal in Oregon?

Coors beer was illegal in the state of Oregon from the mid-1920s to the mid-1960s due to a prohibition era law that banned any beer that had an alcohol content above 4% by volume. At the time, Coors beer had an alcohol content of 7%, and was therefore deemed to be illegal in the otherwise ‘dry’ state.

This law caused some upset amongst locals, and there was an uproar when a shop owner in Portland was actively selling Coors even though it was technically prohibited by law. Despite its illegal status, the beer continued to be smuggled into the state in large quantities, sometimes even being dropped off via aircraft to those willing to pay for this contraband item.

Eventually, in 1965 the law was repealed, allowing Coors beer to be legally bought and sold within Oregon.

[TripleB]

I remember having sips of my mom's Coors at the swimming pool when I was a child back in the '60's. Those were good memories (though they would put you in jail today). Apart from that, Coors has not been part of my beer imbibing. Enjoy your Coors and thank you for the history lesson.

[briano52]

Are you sure that Coors (Banquet beer) ever had an ABV of 7%? That seems high to me for a lager style beer. I would guess it was closer to 5% but I don' have documentation of that. I do remember a time when certain states only sold 3.2% in grocery stores and you had to go to a liquor store for regular ABV beer.

[Jerod Broussard]

Schlitz was my beer of choice while in Diapers. Peel top was as safe as safe can be.

[smokenoob]

Growing up in Illinois we found a case of Schlitz stashed in the snow on the dirt road we lived on. Moved a few to a new location and covered our tracks. Tried one and could not believe grownups drank this aweful beverage. Tried another one and then understood. 🤪

[texastweeter]

Dad and Papaw drank Schlitz beer

[Dick Anderson]

I thought it had to do with not being pasteurizedi. I also think 50+ year-old memories can be selective. I'm noticing that in my older sisters.

[Sid P]

I’m confused. I recall my Dad and uncles deriding it as “near beer”. Speaking of 50 year-old memories…

[MBMorgan]

I’m confused. I recall my Dad and uncles deriding it as “near beer”. Speaking of 50 year-old memories…

Back then, there were two drinking ages in Colorado. 18-20 year-olds could drink 3.2 beer ("near beer", available in grocery stores and "kiddie bars") and 21+ year-olds could drink the more potent brew (5% as I recall ... available only in adult bars and liquor stores). Coors was produced in both versions.

[Sid P]

Score one for the old guy - thanks!

[FireMan]

I guess some people give a rip!

[jfmorris]

I remember back in the 70's you could not buy Coors east of the Mississippi. My dad's company had their own trucks that delivered chicken house equipment that they made, and any time he had one of the drivers going out west of the Mississippi, he would have the guy bring back a case of Coors...

I don't remember when that changed, but at some point in the 80's you started seeing Coors in the eastern US, well, at least in Georgia. I don't think it had anything to do with ABV, but with distribution for some reason.

Alabama banned beer over about 6% until we got legislation passed back in 2009. I remember every time I went home to Georgia for the holidays one of my buddies would ask for me to bring him back a 6-pack of Sierra Nevada Bigfoot or Celebration Ale, as you could not buy either of them here...

[MBMorgan]

Coors wasn’t pasteurized and therefore didn’t transport well. Even west of the Mississippi in places like Montana, it wasn’t available… prompting more than a few shopping trips down to Colorado with a small U-Haul in tow. (not that I ever did such a thing 🙄)

[FireMan]

We know you wouldn’t do such a thing, I mean, I mean you ARE a member of the Pit. That speaks of fine upstandsmanship! 🧐

[Porkies]

My beer of choice as a whelp was the Stag beer my grandfather drank and thus my father and uncles etc... unless they brought their own. I would walk around the poker table, or the pool table, while the adults were playing and would sneak (at least I thought I was sneaky) a sip from any cans found standing alone. I just had to be very cautious about not grabbing an empty being used at a spit can.

I was pulled over by an Arkansas Sheriff on a lonely, tiny county road one night at the age of 19ish. He pulled us over because of all the people (6) in the car and the music. Also, because my plates were Tn. So, after the usual banter and showing of documents, he asked me to step out of the car. We had a conversation, the beginning of which was "Is that kid okay?". My cousin's boyfriend's brother had drank a lot but at the parents home. He didn't drink while in my car, but he had thrown up out of the window while I was driving and some of you may not need me to make description of the scene.

So much conversation from that night, but to get to the point the sheriff asked if he could search the vehicle. I said, Sure, I've got nothing to hide. (we had already discussed my 2 beers over the full evening as I never drank much when I was driving)
He told me 3 times, you do not have to open the trunk. I have no warrant. Finally, I just grabbed my keys and popped it open to reveal the full spare tire, a tool box and fishing gear. He just laughed and motioned me to close it. "I was checking that you weren't bringing in cases of beer from Oklahoma. We don't allow that higher octane and so it is illegal to transport it across the state line. Be safe, have a good night, and keep the volume down."

[mgaretz]

It’s a myth that Coors kept its beer refrigerated because it wasn’t pasteurized. Coors is cold sterile filtered *instead of* pasteurization. So sterile is sterile. They kept the beer cold to help preserve its flavor.

[Huskee]

I just bought my first 6pack of Coors Banquet bottles in years about 3 weeks ago. It's good for that kinda beer. Interesting history though.