Schlitz 6Pk

Schlitz 6Pk is a six-pack of the iconic American adjunct lager, packaged in 12 oz servings at 4.7% ABV. Marketed for generations as "The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous," Schlitz holds a BeerAdvocate score of 81 for its classic 1960s formula — the highest rating in the American adjunct lager category on that platform.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.7%  |  Origin: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA  |  Style: American Adjunct Lager  |  Brand Owner: Pabst Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

The Schlitz brand traces its roots to 1849, when Joseph Schlitz took over a Milwaukee brewery and built it into one of the largest beer producers in the United States. By the early 20th century, Schlitz was a dominant national brand, and the brewery pioneered the use of brown glass bottles in 1912 to protect beer from sunlight — a practice the entire industry soon adopted. Today the brand is owned by Pabst Brewing Company, with production handled under contract by Miller Brewing Co. The recipe features a blend of Cascade, Mt. Hood, and Willamette hops, delivering a clean and straightforward American lager profile.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Light corn grain leads, followed by faint breadiness and a subtle sweetness. A clean, muted hop presence sits quietly in the background without asserting itself.

Taste: The entry is lightly sweet with a noticeable corn adjunct character. At mid-palate, a mild breadiness develops alongside a crisp, clean body. A faint honey-like sweetness rounds out the sip before a light mineral quality emerges.

Finish: Short and crisp, with residual corn sweetness fading quickly. A light hop bitterness and trace mineral note provide a dry, clean close.

How to Drink Schlitz

Schlitz is best served cold, straight from the can or poured into a chilled pint glass. Its light body and clean finish make it an ideal lawnmower beer or session lager. A Michelada works well here — the tomato, lime, and hot sauce complement the corn sweetness. A classic Shandy with fresh lemonade plays off the beer's mild honey notes. For a simple Boilermaker, drop a shot of bourbon alongside it — the lager's clean profile won't compete with the whiskey.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and casual summer gatherings
• Stocking a tailgate cooler with a nostalgic American lager
• Pairing with pub-style bar food like burgers, wings, and nachos
• Introducing friends to a heritage American beer brand with genuine history

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Schlitz taste like? Schlitz is a light-bodied American lager dominated by corn sweetness, faint breadiness, and a crisp, clean finish with minimal hop bitterness. It drinks smooth and straightforward, with a subtle mineral undertone.

How does Schlitz compare to Pabst Blue Ribbon? Both are American adjunct lagers owned by Pabst Brewing Company, but Schlitz leans slightly sweeter with more pronounced corn character, while PBR tends toward a drier, more neutral grain profile. On BeerAdvocate, the Schlitz classic formula scores 81 compared to PBR's 68, suggesting stronger reviewer sentiment for the Schlitz recipe.

Is Schlitz good for casual drinking? Schlitz is a quintessential session beer — its 4.7% ABV and clean, uncomplicated flavor profile make it well suited for extended drinking during social occasions without palate fatigue.

Where is Schlitz made? Schlitz originated at the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, founded in 1849. The brand is now owned by Pabst Brewing Company, with brewing handled under contract by Miller Brewing Co.

What foods pair well with Schlitz? Grilled burgers and hot dogs benefit from the beer's crisp carbonation cutting through charred fat. Fried chicken pairs naturally with the corn sweetness. Spicy Buffalo wings find a cooling counterpart in the light body. Soft pretzels with mustard echo the bread and grain notes, and light seafood like fried shrimp works with the clean, neutral base.

What sizes does Schlitz come in? Schlitz is commonly available in 6-packs of 12 oz cans or bottles, as well as single tallboy cans and larger multi-pack formats depending on market availability.

Is Schlitz worth the price? Schlitz positions squarely in the budget-friendly American lager tier, competing directly with other heritage economy brands. For its price point, the classic formula's BeerAdvocate score of 81 suggests it delivers above-average quality relative to its category peers.

Why Schlitz?

Schlitz isn't just another macro lager — it's a brand with genuine historical significance, dating to 1849 and once ranking as one of America's top-selling beers. The recipe's use of Cascade, Mt. Hood, and Willamette hops gives it a slightly more defined character than many competitors in the adjunct lager space. Its BeerAdvocate score of 81 for the classic formula places it at the top of its category on that platform, a distinction few budget lagers can claim. For drinkers who appreciate American beer history and want a straightforward, well-made lager without pretension, Schlitz remains a legitimate choice.