Olde English 800
Encyclopedia
Olde English 800 is a brand of American malt liquor
produced by the Miller Brewing Company
. It was introduced in 1964 and owned by Miller Brewing Company
since 1999. It is available in a variety of serving sizes including, since the late 1980s, a forty ounce (1.183-litre) bottle. "Olde English" is a brand identity created and held by Miller Brewing Corp. in the United States, and the beverage is not and never has been English
.
(ABV):
In Oklahoma there is a 3.2% ABW (approximately 4.2% ABV) version. There is also a 6.1% ABV version made for the Europe
an region. The only version available in Canada has 8% ABV and is simply called "Olde English 800".
and targeted by the brewer towards the "urban contemporary market", a coalition of "22 public interest groups involved in minority issues" criticized the marketing of Olde English — which as a malt liquor has a high alcohol content in comparison with most beers — for what they characterized as an "emphasis on black and Hispanic consumers." According to The New York Times, the "40-ounce bottle, introduced in the late 1980's with aggressive marketing campaigns aimed at minority drinkers" was by 1993 "fast becoming the intoxicant of choice for black and Hispanic youths in New York and other American cities"; popular culture evidence cited by the paper included the chart popularity of the song "Tap the Bottle
" — a song released in November 1992 and "celebrating the consumption of 40-ounce malt liquor" and the experience of Darryl McDaniels
of Run-DMC, who had "recently told a rap magazine that he had been hospitalized for alcoholic pancreatitis
, the result of years of drinking as many as eight 40-ounce bottles of malt liquor a day." Less anecdotal evidence cited was the increase in U.S. malt liquor consumption from 73.6 million (2.5 gallons (9.5 l) cases) in 1989 to a projected 97.8 million cases in 1993.
In 1991, 1992, 1994, and 1995, while still owned by Pabst, Olde English was awarded a Gold medal in the American Malt Liquor category at the Great American Beer Festival
. In 1992, Pabst introduced Old English 800 Draft, a cold-filtered
instead of pasteurized
"draft-style" malt liquor.
Olde English received the Gold medal in the American Style Specialty Lager category in 1997.
The 1999 acquisition of Olde English 800 by Miller meant its share of the U.S. malt liquor business grew to 36 percent; it also led to a "less controversial" marketing strategy for the brand, one that by 2000 included the sponsorship of a series of minority business
seminars.
In 2010, the 3.2% ABV version of Olde English was labeled "The Worst Beer in the World" by RateBeer.com, a beer rating
website.
In 2010, Australian hardcore band, The Amity Affliction
, featured a song called "Olde English 800" on their album titled, Youngbloods
.
In 2011, punk-rock band Alkaline Trio
released their album "Damnesia
", featuring a song entitled "Olde English 800".
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...
produced by the Miller Brewing Company
Miller Brewing Company
The Miller Brewing Company is an American beer brewing company owned by the United Kingdom-based SABMiller. Its regional headquarters are located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the company has brewing facilities in Albany, Georgia; Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; Eden, North Carolina; Fort Worth, Texas;...
. It was introduced in 1964 and owned by Miller Brewing Company
Miller Brewing Company
The Miller Brewing Company is an American beer brewing company owned by the United Kingdom-based SABMiller. Its regional headquarters are located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the company has brewing facilities in Albany, Georgia; Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; Eden, North Carolina; Fort Worth, Texas;...
since 1999. It is available in a variety of serving sizes including, since the late 1980s, a forty ounce (1.183-litre) bottle. "Olde English" is a brand identity created and held by Miller Brewing Corp. in the United States, and the beverage is not and never has been English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Alcohol content
As of 2010, Olde English 800 is brewed in three versions which vary in alcohol by volumeAlcohol by volume
Alcohol by volume is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage .The ABV standard is used worldwide....
(ABV):
| Brand | ABV |
|---|---|
| Olde English 800 | 5.9%, 7.7% |
| Olde English 800 7.5 | 7.5% |
| Olde English High Gravity 800 | 8.0% |
In Oklahoma there is a 3.2% ABW (approximately 4.2% ABV) version. There is also a 6.1% ABV version made for the Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an region. The only version available in Canada has 8% ABV and is simply called "Olde English 800".
1960s-70s
Olde English 800 was introduced in 1964.1980s-90s
In August 1989, when the brand was owned by Pabst Brewing CompanyPabst 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...
and targeted by the brewer towards the "urban contemporary market", a coalition of "22 public interest groups involved in minority issues" criticized the marketing of Olde English — which as a malt liquor has a high alcohol content in comparison with most beers — for what they characterized as an "emphasis on black and Hispanic consumers." According to The New York Times, the "40-ounce bottle, introduced in the late 1980's with aggressive marketing campaigns aimed at minority drinkers" was by 1993 "fast becoming the intoxicant of choice for black and Hispanic youths in New York and other American cities"; popular culture evidence cited by the paper included the chart popularity of the song "Tap the Bottle
Tap the Bottle
"Tap the Bottle" is the first single released from the Young Black Teenagers' second album, Dead Enz Kidz Doin' Lifetime Bidz. It was released on November 24, 1992, written by group members Firstborn and Kamron and was produced by Terminator X and the groups DJ, DJ Skribble...
" — a song released in November 1992 and "celebrating the consumption of 40-ounce malt liquor" and the experience of Darryl McDaniels
Darryl McDaniels
-Video game appearances:*The Warriors - Scopes*Guitar Hero: Aerosmith - Himself- External links :* * * * * http://articles.latimes.com/2009/dec/12/entertainment/la-et-people-speak12-2009dec12...
of Run-DMC, who had "recently told a rap magazine that he had been hospitalized for alcoholic pancreatitis
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It occurs when pancreatic enzymes that digest food are activated in the pancreas instead of the small intestine. It may be acute – beginning suddenly and lasting a few days, or chronic – occurring over many years...
, the result of years of drinking as many as eight 40-ounce bottles of malt liquor a day." Less anecdotal evidence cited was the increase in U.S. malt liquor consumption from 73.6 million (2.5 gallons (9.5 l) cases) in 1989 to a projected 97.8 million cases in 1993.
In 1991, 1992, 1994, and 1995, while still owned by Pabst, Olde English was awarded a Gold medal in the American Malt Liquor category at the Great American Beer Festival
Great American Beer Festival
The Great American Beer Festival is a three-day annual event hosted by the Brewers Association, held in Denver, Colorado, in mid to late September or early October. This year, 2011, the festival runs from 29 September through 1 October. The GABF brings visitors from around the world to sample more...
. In 1992, Pabst introduced Old English 800 Draft, a cold-filtered
Filtered beer
Bright beer is beer in which yeast is no longer in suspension. There are several methods used for clearing yeast from beer, from waiting for the yeast to drop of its own accord to filtering it.-Dropping bright:...
instead of pasteurized
Pasteurization
Pasteurization is a process of heating a food, usually liquid, to a specific temperature for a definite length of time, and then cooling it immediately. This process slows microbial growth in food...
"draft-style" malt liquor.
Olde English received the Gold medal in the American Style Specialty Lager category in 1997.
The 1999 acquisition of Olde English 800 by Miller meant its share of the U.S. malt liquor business grew to 36 percent; it also led to a "less controversial" marketing strategy for the brand, one that by 2000 included the sponsorship of a series of minority business
Minority Business Enterprise
A Minority Business Enterprise is an American term which is defined as a business which is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled on a daily basis by one or more American citizens of the following ethnic minority classifications:...
seminars.
Since 2000
Olde English High Gravity 800 won the Bronze medal in the American Style Specialty Lager category in 2006.In 2010, the 3.2% ABV version of Olde English was labeled "The Worst Beer in the World" by RateBeer.com, a beer rating
Beer rating
Beer rating is assessing and evaluating beer using a point system. The process is similar to that used in beer judging competitions, such as those organised by the Beer Judge Certification Program in America, though the participants are consumers so it may be termed a score-rated recommendation...
website.
In 2010, Australian hardcore band, The Amity Affliction
The Amity Affliction
The Amity Affliction is an Australian post-hardcore band from Gympie, Queensland formed in 2002.The band's current line-up is Joel Birch , Ahren Stringer , Ryan Burt and Troy Brady...
, featured a song called "Olde English 800" on their album titled, Youngbloods
Youngbloods (album)
Youngbloods is the second album by Brisbane metalcore band, The Amity Affliction. It was released on June 18, 2010 through Boomtown Records. It debuted at number 6 on the ARIA Charts. Grammy-nominated producer Machine produced Youngbloods. The drums were tracked at Breakwater Music Studio in...
.
In 2011, punk-rock band Alkaline Trio
Alkaline Trio
Alkaline Trio is an American punk rock band that formed in McHenry, Illinois, in 1996. The band's line-up consists of Matt Skiba , Dan Andriano , and Derek Grant...
released their album "Damnesia
Damnesia
Damnesia is the eighth studio album by the punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released July 12, 2011 through their label Heart & Skull, a joint venture with Epitaph Records. A primarily acoustic album, it consists of "a selection of beloved fan favorites selected from the group's extensive catalogue and...
", featuring a song entitled "Olde English 800".