Old Style 24Pk Cans

Old Style 24Pk Cans is a classic American pilsner packaged as twenty-four 12 oz cans, brewed at 4.6% ABV. Long associated with Chicago and the Upper Midwest, Old Style has maintained a loyal following since its origins as a regional lager known for being full-flavored yet easy-drinking.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.6%  |  Origin: United States  |  Style: American Pilsner  |  Brewery: Pabst Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Old Style has a long history rooted in Midwestern brewing tradition. The brand is now owned by Pabst Brewing Company, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, and has been contract brewed through arrangements with City Brewing Company and, as of 2025, AB InBev. The recipe calls for malted barley and corn alongside natural hop varieties and specialized hop extract — a grain bill typical of the American adjunct pilsner style. Notably, Old Style was once naturally carbonated using the traditional krausening technique, in which actively fermenting beer is added to finished beer to create carbonation. That method was discontinued after Pabst acquired the brand in 1999, and the beer has since been force-carbonated.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Light grain and subtle malt sweetness greet the nose, with a mild hop presence in the background. The overall aroma is moderate — clean and approachable without being blank.

Taste: The entry is smooth and lightly sweet, with a bread-like malt character that provides more body than many mass-market American lagers. Mid-palate, a gentle bitterness balances the grain sweetness without ever turning aggressively hoppy. Some drinkers detect faint tea-like or toasted notes that add modest complexity.

Finish: The finish is delicate and clean, with residual malt sweetness tapering off quickly. It leaves a dry, refreshing close that invites another sip rather than lingering on the palate.

How to Drink Old Style

Old Style is best served cold, straight from the can or poured into a pint glass at around 38–42°F to let its malt character come through without losing crispness. Its light body and moderate flavor also make it a natural fit for beer-based mixed drinks. A Michelada works well here because Old Style's mild sweetness balances the lime and hot sauce. A classic Shandy — equal parts beer and lemonade — takes advantage of the pilsner's clean profile for a warm-weather refresher. And a Boilermaker paired with a shot of bourbon plays off the beer's bread-like malt backbone.

Best For

• Stocking the cooler for a backyard cookout or tailgate
• Game-day sessions watching Cubs, Bears, or Brewers baseball and football
• Casual weekend gatherings where easy-drinking beer disappears fast
• Gifting a Chicagoan or Midwesterner who appreciates regional nostalgia

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Old Style taste like? Old Style is a full-flavored American pilsner with a smooth, bread-like malt sweetness, light hop bitterness, and a clean, delicate finish that keeps it refreshing.

How does Old Style compare to Blatz? Both brands are owned by Pabst Brewing Company and are often called sister beers, sharing a similar American adjunct pilsner profile. Old Style tends to carry a slightly fuller malt character and stronger regional identity in the Chicago market, while Blatz skews lighter and is more closely associated with Milwaukee.

Is Old Style good for session drinking? At 4.6% ABV with a light body and mild flavor, Old Style is well suited for extended, paced drinking during social events or long afternoons.

Where is Old Style made? Old Style is owned by Pabst Brewing Company, based in San Antonio, Texas, and is contract brewed in the United States — most recently through arrangements with City Brewing Company and AB InBev.

What foods pair well with Old Style? Chicago-style hot dogs benefit from the beer's carbonation cutting through the snap of a natural-casing frank. Grilled bratwurst pairs naturally with the malt sweetness. Pizza — deep-dish or tavern-style — works because the beer's light body cleanses the palate between rich, cheesy bites. Tortilla chips and salsa match well with the crisp, neutral grain profile. Smoked pulled pork finds balance against the pilsner's mild bitterness.

What sizes does Old Style come in? Old Style is widely available in 24-packs of 12 oz cans, as well as 12-packs, 30-packs, and individual tallboy cans depending on market availability.

Is Old Style worth the price? Old Style positions firmly in the value tier of American lagers, delivering more malt flavor than many comparably priced domestic beers while remaining an affordable choice for volume purchasing in 24-pack format.

Why Old Style?

Old Style occupies a distinctive niche among American pilsners — it carries genuine regional heritage, particularly in Chicago and across the Upper Midwest, where it has been a fixture for generations. The grain bill of malted barley and corn produces a richer, more characterful lager than many of its mass-market peers, and the beer's historical use of krausening for natural carbonation speaks to a brewing tradition that valued process. In a 24-pack of cans, it remains one of the most practical ways to keep a crowd supplied with a dependable, full-flavored American pilsner that trades on substance rather than marketing flash.