Steel Reserve
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Steel Reserve is an American lager owned and produced by SABMiller. The drink comes in 'Black' and 'Silver' varieties, also known as 'Triple Export Malt Liquor' and 'High Gravity Lager,' respectively.
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[edit] General
Steel Reserve is usually sold in 40 US fluid ounce (1.183 L) bottles for slightly more than two US dollars. It is also distributed in single-serving 24 US fluid ounce (710 mL) cans, 22 US Fluid ounce (651 mL) bottles, 16 US fluid ounce (473 mL) cans in packs of four, and 12 US fluid ounce (355 mL) cans in packs of six or twelve. The beverage is notable for relatively high alcohol by volume--8.1% (approximately twice the amount found in regular beer) and inexpensive price(1). Most ordinary consumers find the taste of Steel Reserve to be unpleasant, even when compared to other low-priced beer[1]. It should be noted however that there is also a 6.0% ABV brew, which, unlike the 8.1% variety, is sometimes praised for its above-average taste and overall value[2]. The manufacturer describes the taste as "exceptionally smooth," although most agree that its chief appeal lies in its attractive price, high alcohol content, and stylish packaging.
Steel Reserve labels are emblazoned with a stylized "211"—the medieval symbol for steel. The packaging proclaims that the beverage is brewed for 28 days.
[edit] Availability
The 40 ounce, 8.1% ABV variety is most widely available, although in some states where prohibition era laws still remain, the 6.0% form is sold. Although the 'High Gravity Lager' is currently more widely available than the 'Triple Export Malt Liquor,' it has yet to find availability in all markets.
[edit] Competitor Response
Anheuser-Busch quickly (date or citation needed) adopted the "High Gravity" nomenclature and released Hurricane High Gravity Lager, with exactly the same alcohol content, container sizes, and price point. As with BE (Anheuser-Busch's Budweiser-labeled attempt to break into the energy drink and alcopop market), it's unknown if this was a response to reclaim lost market share or to use its superior distribution network to squeeze out a competitor occupying an economic niche. Many consumers feel the two products have comparable, or even identical, qualities, but the Anheuser product is more often available in their market area.
The term "High Gravity" is sometimes ascribed to the idea that high-alcohol beer makes you fall down, but in fact refers to the increased specific gravity of the wort used to produce high-alcohol beer.
[edit] Popular culture and advertisement
Influential Bay Area rapper E-40 has referenced Steel Reserve in songs such as "If it was a Fifth" in which he raps:
"I never let my right ear know what my left ear done heard
My favorite beer right now is 211 Steel Reserve"
The Ramones have performed songs referencing the beverage for radio advertisements. These include:
- Gimme My Steel Reserve - a different version of All's Quiet on the Eastern Front
- High Gravity Lager
- Fill My Cup - a different version of Real Cool Time
Steel Reserve appears in the films 3 Strikes, Training Day and Grandma's Boy.
