The 70s is counted as an iconic decade for the growth of beer. During this period, the flavor profile of beer was under constant change. Particularly, light alcohol with low ABV and calories and a clean, crisp taste emerged during this period.
Some of the most popular beers of the 70s are Miller High Life, Coors Banquet, Schlitz, and Falstaff. All the beers share a distinct flavor profile with crispness and lightness. But yes, till the 70s, craft beer was not produced.
So, let’s delve into the article and pop some of the best 70s beers to look for.
1. Miller Lite
When introduced in the market, Miller Lite knew how to catch the attention of beer enthusiasts.
The drink was introduced in 1975 commercially,
Moving to the perks that helped Miller Lite gain such popularity, it was the first commercial soft drink that was light in its calorie count and ABV (only 5%) and yet had a very subtle and pronounced taste. The crispness and solid taste of the drink lasts till you sip its last drop.
Moreover, the drink has a combined flavor of malt and hops with a slight bitterness to provide an overall solid flavor.
2. Schlitz
Schlitz is another beer that reached the peak of its popularity in the 1970s. The drink was, in fact, labeled as the most-produced beer in the United States.
This old, classic lager has a rich mix of light sweetness, corn, and breadiness, providing a solid, crisp, yet smooth profile to the drink.
The standard Schlitz beer contains 4.6% alcohol by volume and 142 calories.
However, after the 70s, the beer style changed, and consequently, the popularity declined, which the company couldn’t recover to date.
3. Budweiser
Budweiser is a classic American-style lager beer well-established by the 1970s and gained hype during the decade for its distinct flavor notes.
The beer is brewed using a rich blend of different hops, barley malt, and fresh rice added to filtered water to enrich the drink with a bready aroma.
Moreover, you can squeeze a slice of lime on the top to leave the drink fresh and crisp.
4. Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR)
In the list of best 70s beers, Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR), the known winner of the titular blue ribbon, is a must. In fact, since then, the ribbon has been printed on its can too.
The PBR beer was particularly famous in the working class because not only was the beer exceptionally good in its taste and aromas but its low price too. It was counted as the most affordable beer at its time.
The prime ingredients of PBR are:
- Malted Barley
- Hops
- Yeast
- Corn Syrup
- Water
Moving to its alcoholic content, this unique drink has only 4.8% ABV.
And guess what? It is still famous among people who love to enjoy old-school, unpretentious drinks.
5. Rheingold
Though it came into the market earlier, Rheingold Beer gained its peak popularity in the mid-1970s. Beer lovers claim that it is the drink you should opt for when you want the thrill and enjoyment of more than one drink in one.
It’s one of its kind drinks with a blend of cream, hop, and bitterness in every sip, with notes of malts. Additionally, it has the aroma of straws that lasts till the last sip.
However, some claim that the drink was a bit too dry in its feel.
6. Coors Banquet
And when enlisting the best beers of the 70s, surely, one can’t afford to skip Coors Banquet by Coors.
The prime ingredients used in Coors banquet are:
- Filtered Water
- Barley Malt
- Hop Extract
- Yeast
- Corn Syrup
All these ingredients grant the drink a brisk and crisp freshness with a blend of sweetness and hop richness. And yes, the drink also has some banana bread undertone in it that knows how to satisfy your tastebuds.
Moving to its alcoholic content, the drink has 5% ABV, being a light to mild drink to opt for.
7. Corona Beer
Though Corona Beer was produced in the early 1920s as a Mexican Beer, it gained popularity in the 1970s and 80s, and therefore, the drink must be mentioned in the list.
Corona Beer is one of the most clean and crisp beers you will ever find.
The prime ingredients of this drink are
- Yeast
- Barley Malt
- Hops
- Antioxidants
- Corn
Additionally, the drink is low on calories and ABV too.
8. Falstaff
And here comes the vegan-friendly beer of the 1970s. Though it came into the market earlier, the Falstaff beer gained more popularity in the middle of the 1907s and then faced a sudden fall.
The drink has a mild and light flavor with nuanced sweetness and malt richness.
Moving to its ABV, the drink has 4.1% ABV.
So, just like other 70s drinks, it is also a light-profile beer with a low ABV and lower calorie count, making it shine better.
So, these few beers and beer brands gained popularity in the 70s for producing a nuanced beer with less alcohol content and calories. Some gained popularity with their unique slogans, others got advertised in commercials, etc.
Final Verdict
All in all, the beers of the 70s shared a very crisp, clean, and light flavor profile to enjoy.
The 70s are marked as an era of beer growth. During it, the beer profile changed a lot. It was the time when light-profile beer gained popularity. Moreover, the brands have started to use campaigns and advertising to expand their sales.
Among all the beers, Miller Lite was the most popular as it was the first commercially sold beer to start the trend of light beer with low alcohol content.
I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.
