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Colt 45 (malt liquor)
Encyclopedia
Colt 45 is a brand
of malt liquor
introduced by National Brewing Company in the spring of 1963. Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, the National Brewing Company and its brands (including Colt 45) are today owned by the Pabst Brewing Company
.
Colt 45 is available today in a multitude of packages and sizes. Cans are available in 12, 16 and 24 ounce packages and bottles are available in 7, 12, 16, 18, 22, 32 and 40 ounce packages. Cans are available in multi-packs including: 12, 15, 18, 24, 30, 36 packs of 12 ounce cans.
introduced Colt 45 in 1963. Previously, the only major national brand of malt liquor was Country Club. The label was designed with a kicking horse and horseshoe, a subtle reference to its "extra kick" compared to competing brands.
Listed on the Pabst
website as a "Fun Fact", Colt 45 was named after running back #45 Jerry Hill of the 1963 Baltimore Colts and not the pistol
or the revolver
.
The label has a long-time advertising association with actor Billy Dee Williams
, who has been seen in print ads, on billboards and in television ads for Colt 45 starting in the 1980s. The product's slogan during that era, as stated by Williams in his television commercials, was, "It works every time." Williams responded indifferently to criticism of his appearances in the liquor commercials. When questioned about his appearances is alleged to have said, "I drink, you drink. Hell, if marijuana
was legal, I'd appear in a commercial for that too." Colt 45 is a historically popular alcoholic beverage within the African-American community.
A double malt version -- titled Colt 45 Double Malt -- is also produced; it has the same alcohol content as Colt 45 Malt Liquor, contrary to popular belief. Sold in only certain regions, the label is distinguishable by two horseshoes rather than the standard single one.
In 2011, Pabst Brewing introduced Blast by Colt 45. Snoop Dogg
signed on to promote the beverage as Blast's "brand ambassador." The 12% ABV fruit-flavored malt beverage has been criticized for targeting underage drinkers. In order to cooperate with FDA regulations, Blast by Colt does not contain caffeine, taurine, or guarana.
Brand
The American Marketing Association defines a brand as a "Name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers."...
of malt liquor
Malt liquor
Malt liquor is a North American term referring to a type of beer with high alcohol content. In legal statutes, the term often includes any alcoholic beverage above or equal to 5% alcohol by volume made with malted barley. In common parlance, however, it is used for high-alcohol beers made with...
introduced by National Brewing Company in the spring of 1963. Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, the National Brewing Company and its brands (including Colt 45) are today owned by the Pabst Brewing Company
Pabst Brewing Company
Pabst Brewing Company is an American company that dates its origins to a brewing company founded in 1844 by Jacob Best and by 1889 named after Frederick Pabst. It is currently the holding company contracting for the brewing of over two dozen brands of beer and malt liquor from defunct companies...
.
Colt 45 is available today in a multitude of packages and sizes. Cans are available in 12, 16 and 24 ounce packages and bottles are available in 7, 12, 16, 18, 22, 32 and 40 ounce packages. Cans are available in multi-packs including: 12, 15, 18, 24, 30, 36 packs of 12 ounce cans.
History
National Brewing CompanyNational Brewing Company
The National Brewing Company was a beer brewing company based in Baltimore, Maryland. The National Brewing Company operated from 1872 until the late 1970's. At the end of the 70's, the National Brewing Company was purchased and their breweries were shut down...
introduced Colt 45 in 1963. Previously, the only major national brand of malt liquor was Country Club. The label was designed with a kicking horse and horseshoe, a subtle reference to its "extra kick" compared to competing brands.
Listed on the Pabst
Pabst Brewing Company
Pabst Brewing Company is an American company that dates its origins to a brewing company founded in 1844 by Jacob Best and by 1889 named after Frederick Pabst. It is currently the holding company contracting for the brewing of over two dozen brands of beer and malt liquor from defunct companies...
website as a "Fun Fact", Colt 45 was named after running back #45 Jerry Hill of the 1963 Baltimore Colts and not the pistol
M1911
The M1911 is a single-action, semi-automatic, magazine-fed, and recoil-operated handgun chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge. John M. Browning designed the firearm which was the standard-issue side arm for the United States armed forces from 1911 to 1985. The M1911 is still carried by some U.S....
or the revolver
Colt Single Action Army
The Colt Single Action Army is a single action revolver with a revolving cylinder holding six metallic cartridges. It was designed for the U.S...
.
The label has a long-time advertising association with actor Billy Dee Williams
Billy Dee Williams
William December "Billy Dee" Williams, Jr. is an American actor, artist, singer, and writer.-Early life:Williams was born in New York City, New York, the son of Loretta...
, who has been seen in print ads, on billboards and in television ads for Colt 45 starting in the 1980s. The product's slogan during that era, as stated by Williams in his television commercials, was, "It works every time." Williams responded indifferently to criticism of his appearances in the liquor commercials. When questioned about his appearances is alleged to have said, "I drink, you drink. Hell, if marijuana
Cannabis (drug)
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among many other names, refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or for medicinal purposes. The English term marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish word marihuana...
was legal, I'd appear in a commercial for that too." Colt 45 is a historically popular alcoholic beverage within the African-American community.
Alternative products
Colt 45 makers experimented briefly with a mint flavored derivative, marketed under the name Cool Colt, in the early 90s. Available in limited quantities, it was largely met with puzzlement from loyal customers. While it was in production, the slogan for Cool Colt was "Taste the Cool."A double malt version -- titled Colt 45 Double Malt -- is also produced; it has the same alcohol content as Colt 45 Malt Liquor, contrary to popular belief. Sold in only certain regions, the label is distinguishable by two horseshoes rather than the standard single one.
In 2011, Pabst Brewing introduced Blast by Colt 45. Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
signed on to promote the beverage as Blast's "brand ambassador." The 12% ABV fruit-flavored malt beverage has been criticized for targeting underage drinkers. In order to cooperate with FDA regulations, Blast by Colt does not contain caffeine, taurine, or guarana.