Colt 45 (malt liquor)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Colt 45

Brewery	Pabst Brewing Company
Style	Malt Liquor
First Brewed	1963
Alc. vol.	6.1 In the US, 8.0 in Canada

Colt 45 is a brand of beer (or malt liquor) introduced by National Bohemian and currently owned by the Pabst Brewing Company. Although Pabst owns the brand, Colt is actually brewed and sold by numerous breweries, including Silver Creek Brewery, which produces the Canadian version of Colt. The alcohol by volume is not listed on the container but is reported in the 5.6% to 6.1% range. The Canadian version of Colt lists 8% alcohol on the can.

It is named Colt 45 because it was once sold in 47.6 fluid ounce cans (1.7 litres). The label has changed little since the brand's creation in 1964. The brewers have always been careful never to show a gun in their advertising, in order to ward off potential lawsuits from Colt Firearms, maker of the famed Colt .45 revolver. Instead, the beer features the logo of a bucking horse (presumably a young, male "colt") framed by a golden horseshoe. In United States, the format of the bottle is referred to as Small Mouth, (referring to the bottle neck). In Canada however, Colt 45 comes into Big Mouth format.

Colt has released a 25.69 ounce bottle (0.65 litre), slotted between the 40 ounce bottle (1.18 litre) (and sometime 32 ounce (0.95 litre)) and the single serving sizes. There is also a 22oz version nicknamed "Double Deuce", which phrase appears above the quantity. In Canada, Colt 45 is available in 710 mL cans and 1.18 L bottles. The label lists the alcohol by volume content as 8.0%, and it is called 'Strong Beer' rather than malt liquor.

1 Colt 45 Demographics
2 Alternative Products
3 Notes
4 External links

[edit] Colt 45 Demographics

Colt 45 is stereotyped as being popular among people with low incomes, such as the working class or students, due to its low price and high alcohol content. Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in California also conducted a study which showed that malt liquor is favored by homeless, unemployed drinkers.^[1]

[edit] Alternative Products

Colt 45 makers experimented briefly with a mint flavored derivative, marketed under the name Cool Colt, in the early 90's.^[2] Available in limited quantities, it was largely met with puzzlement from loyal customers. Currently they produce a double malt version containing a higher alcohol content. Sold in only certain regions, the label is distinguishable by two horseshoes rather than the standard single one.