Rainier Ale. Discontinued. Photo courtesy of beercankorner.com
The Green Death is dead. Rainier Ale has been discontinued. I learned this the hard way, by searching for retail sources on my last visit to San Francisco and retrieving a map that was completely blank. I emailed Pabst Brewing, which now owns the brand, and they sent back this heartbreaking response:
Otis – Thank you for taking the time to contact Pabst Brewing Company with your interest in Rainier Ale.
Regrettably, due to its poor sales performance, we have decided to discontinue Rainier Ale. We would like to thank you for your support over the years, but unfortunately sales simply were not enough to continue producing the product…
I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, and thank you again for contacting Pabst Brewing Company.
Inconvenience? Read the Final Rainier Ale Thread on the 40 oz Malt Liquor Paradise BBS and you’ll see it’s much more than that. These bros are crying in their beer over the demise of what the thread’s originator feels is a near perfect quaff: “The flavor is amazing, the buzz is great, the % is perfect, it has that crisp ale taste with a finish only a fresh water stream from Mt Rainier could provide.”
Okay, maybe that’s a bit much. The folks who dubbed it the “Green Death” might argue that the stream was more likely from a leaky bathroom facility, judging by the effect. When I had a bit too much in my younger years I would indeed feel a bit devastated the next day… not so much a hangover as a feeling of hopelessness, signaling either that I was about to die or that I was already dead.
But since I moved east from San Francisco I have developed a finer appreciation for Rainier Ale, which I would seek out and generally find in colorful neighborhoods on my return trips and enjoy in moderation. The product actually mutated over the years and the most recent version was akin to a good German lager: light, but with a backbone. At either 7.3% or 6.9% ABV (the percentage shifted downward toward the end) it had the strength of an IPA but the drinkability of a session beer… which, like the “insane” mode of a Tesla S, was a sleek and dangerous combination.
The Pabst folks did throw me a bone, the promise of “a new beer called Rainier Pale Mountain Ale that you should see hitting the shelves soon!” It’s an American Pale Ale that clocks at 5.3% and early tasters on Beer Advocate give it mixed reviews. But at well over $10 for a six-pack of 12 oz bottles, it’s priced for a completely different market than Rainier Ale; part of the pleasure of the latter was feeling you were getting a good value as well as a buzz, since a 16 oz can was often priced as low as a dollar. (Of course, they were usually sold as singles.)
Rather than closing on a sad note, I will refer you to a fascinating article on SFGate.com about an experiment to brew a collaborative version of Green Death for San Francisco Strong Beer Week in 2013. Turns out Neal Casady (hero of Kerouac’s “On The Road”) was a fan of the original product, as was San Francisco Chronicle columnist Charles McCabe “who used to drink several in the mornings” before going to work. Now that there’s no competition, maybe these guys (Anchor and Speakeasy were mentioned among the collaborators) can be convinced to bring it back.
I hate it when the first time I hear about something is in an announcement that it’s no longer available.
I know what you mean. And the stuff did not keep very well: a couple times I bought a can that was past its sell-by date and it was unspeakably bad. So even if you find a cache it’s not going to be drinkable.
I began drinking the Green Death just out of high school the summer of ‘69. It was $.57 a quart. We used to order it by the case. And I mean they delivered it to our “party” atop Hollyhill Ter. in the Hollywood Hills. Fast forward to the present. I’ve missed it now for over 5 years ? I retrospect it was the best of the crap malt liquor. I’d probably drink Olde English,7.5% but I don’t see it in 24oz. cans. So I’m left with Steel Reserve 211 @8.1%.
Seems once your taste has been altered you are doomed. Up until Oct. 1st it was 2 for $3 plus $.20 deposit. Now it’s a whole $3.80 for 2. I’m retired and can’t afford good beer.
There’s a niche to be filled @ the affordable 7-8% beer market IMHO. Just do it.
Your comment really brings back the memories, Steve. When you talk about Steel Reserve 211 for $3.80 for two, is that a 24 oz. can? Seems pretty affordable even with the price raise but all is relative.
Do you live near a Trader Joe’s? Check out the Boatswain Double IPA @ 8.4%, which is currently $5 for a six pack of 12s. A tad cheaper than your Steel Reserve, and I bet the taste is a lot better.
Thanks. My daughter says there’s one near her work here in East Portland. I will definitely try some. Thanks again !
East Portland! I spent a year there a very long time ago, living on 19th Ave SE as I recall. There was a McMenhaminspub within walking distance and they had a strong cheap IPA for growler fills… Land Shark IIRC. Another option if still available.
One lonely night, I onve drank a 6 pack of the Boatswain 8.4% on an empty stomach. The next morning my phone had responses from several ex-girlfriends who amused to here from me. But, one said, “don’t ever contact me again!” Drunk texting rarely ends well…
And it only cost you $5 to make that discovery! (The price is finally creeping up… Bos’n is now $6.49 at my local Trader Joe’s.)
The green death. Did plenty in the day. Late 70s.
Good times.
My girlfriends and I, in high school
at the time in the early 60s, used to drive around the Oakland Hills drinking Green Death in big cans, maybe because it was inexpensive. I vaguely recall it didn’t taste really great. We also drank Old English 800. We somehow got to school and graduated in spite of ourselves.
As I recall Old English 800 was much more hangover-inducing, due to the high sugar content. Rainier Ale was an aristocrat in comparison though I hear you on the taste….
While I was in the Navy , my ship was in the Navy Ship Yard in Bremerton, Washington. Just outside the Maingate there was a popular Bar where I was introduced to The Green Death. Back in the 60’s while driving DeSoto Cab and attending SF State. I managed grind out many a term paper while suffering the after effects of the Green Death.
Happy days!