PBR, Now Available at Whole Foods
September 11, 2007 – 11:33 amProblem: Pabst Blue Ribbon, once the symbol of the chic hipness, is quickly falling out of favor with hipsters as its popularity grows among the fratboy set.
Solution: Distribute Pabst Blue Ribbon in a grocery store chain frequented by hipsters: Whole Foods.
Problem: Pabst Blue Ribbon tastes like crap, and Whole Foods customers, who seek a high-quality product at a premium price, won’t buy it.
Solution: Develop some B.S. verbiage for Whole Foods’ in-store signage; generously throw in buzzwords like “classic,” “good,” and ”quality.”
15 Responses
Fortunately, you will never see any beer marketed this way in a Rhode Island Whole Foods Market. Although, I am sure many here would fall for the pitch.
By deb on Sep 11, 2007
I don’t know how I feel about the usage of “PBR me.”
By brookLyn gaL on Sep 11, 2007
Excellent, now maybe they’ll finally chuck the Humbolt Fog and Brie de Meaux, and get some Velveeta and gov’ment cheese in there.
By skadonk on Sep 11, 2007
pbr has always been frat boy beer (or at least was when i was a frat boy) mainly due to its low cost. not to show my age, but KEGS of pabst were $18 when i was in college in the late 80s.
By keith on Sep 11, 2007
Pabst Blue Ribbon got the blue ribbon name from the “blue ribbon” prize it won for best tasting beer at the Chicago World Fair. It became Chicago/Milwakee famous. Dont know why Bud has a higher appeal but PBR and Bud really are no different in taste and quality, a light tasting beer for the American masses that were never big on beer taste both in the past and present. But no, this should not be in a ‘high end’ store. Unless its at Union Sq or Bowery, then it would make sense for target marketing (nyu students in the area).
By sean on Sep 11, 2007
YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH.
By Megan on Sep 11, 2007
PBR gained cache among the hipster set as an ironic response to more expensive beers. It has always been the drink of choice for middle class americans. this is the dumbest blog ever.
By Sam on Sep 11, 2007
PBR tastes like its been sitting in a can since 1935.
By Daniel on Sep 12, 2007
Sam: You must not read many blogs.
By admin on Sep 12, 2007
they’ve always sold pbr at whole foods. at least they did a few years ago at the one in suburban michigan. people have to have some affordable beer to buy after spending all their money on overpriced organics and beauty products. but their marketing plug is stupid. trying to sell pbr to the pretentious types that shop there by being pretentious. it’s the price that sells pbr. and, for stupid williamsburg hipsters/ fashion victims, the “cool” factor.
By great on Sep 12, 2007
Don’t hate on PBR man. Don’t hate. Cheap swill is still cheap swill in the bodegas, and that’s all that matters…
By Brooklyn Bitch on Sep 12, 2007
I have to point out: at $6.50 for a 12 pack that is RIDICULOUSLY CHEAP for NYC beer. Even for PBR. Even 12 packs of the funny random beers they sell in bodegas cost more than that.
By ariel on Sep 12, 2007
I would have to argue that PBR was a frat-boy beer well before the hipsters got their hands on it.
By Ryan on Sep 13, 2007
I can’t believe a 12 pack is that cheap there. I think when I was there, I paid $10 or more for one. Of course, it wasn’t PBR.
That being said, I wouldn’t hit a dog in the ass with PBR.
By jason on Sep 18, 2007
Holy Crap! $6.49 for a 12′er!. That’s mad cheap compared to the bodegas! Hook it up!
By Miles on Sep 19, 2007