Not Sure the World Was Asking for This: Pabst Blue Ribbon Pickle Beer
Not Sure the World Was Asking for This: Pabst Blue Ribbon Pickle Beer
(Courtesy Pabst Blue Ribbon / Grillo’s Pickles)
We’re not entirely convinced the world was clamoring for someone to invent what may be its first pickle beer—but clearly Pabst Blue Ribbon and Grillo’s Pickles felt otherwise.
Here’s the deal.
Forget everything you thought you knew about beer garnishes. That humble pickle spear, once relegated to a supporting role alongside your dive bar lager, is finally getting its moment in the spotlight—or, more accurately, in the can.
Two titans of dive bar consumables, Pabst Blue Ribbon and Grillo’s Pickles, have joined forces on a collaboration that’s as unexpected as it is, well, briny.
Introducing the limited-edition PBR x Grillo’s Pickle Beer. Yes, you read that right. They’ve taken Grillo’s classic dill flavor and turned a classic dive bar ritual into something you can actually drink—assuming pickle beer is your thing.
Clocking in at a respectable 4.7% ABV, Pabst’s pickle beer promises a bright, tangy profile that somehow balances PBR’s familiar maltiness with the unmistakable, crisp, dill-forward punch of a Grillo’s pickle. It’s designed to be easy-drinking, sessionable, and “refreshing”—for those who want to recreate the dive bar experience at home. (Sticky floors and lingering beer aromas not included.)
Rachel Keeton, Pabst’s Senior Brand Director, summed up its unlikely debut this way: “I don’t think the founder of Pabst saw this one coming. But somewhere along the line, someone put a pickle in a beer and never looked back.” She added, “We’re taking that ritual and making it official with Grillo’s. It’s exactly as good as it sounds.”
Mark Luker, Grillo’s Chief Commercial Officer, echoed the enthusiasm: “We’ve been working on this collab for quite some time, and we’re pumped to see it come to life. PBR has been a great partner, and this delivers a crisp, refreshing blend of both brands. We’re excited for beer and pickle lovers to try it.”
And if you thought this partnership was confined to beverages, think again.
On April 21, the pickle-beer phenomenon made its way to the racetrack, with a co-branded paint scheme appearing at the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Because nothing says high-visibility marketing quite like a pickle-beer race car.
So yeah it’s bold, beery and uber-briny. But whether it’s brilliant or the world’s worst idea, that’s on you.
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