National Bohemian
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Tasting Notes
The aroma is mild and grainy with faint hints of corn and light malt — nothing aggressive, nothing demanding. On the palate, it delivers a thin, clean sweetness from adjunct grains with minimal hop presence, maybe a whisper of grassy bitterness at the finish. The body is light and the carbonation keeps things lively without masking the simplicity of the profile. It drinks honestly for what it is: a no-frills lager built for volume and accessibility.
About the Brewery
Pabst Brewing Company is one of the oldest American brewing names, originally founded in Milwaukee in the 1840s. The company operates today largely as a brand-holding entity, contract-brewing its portfolio — which includes PBR, Old Style, Schlitz, and Stroh's among others — at third-party facilities. National Bohemian is a Baltimore institution originally brewed by the National Brewing Company; Pabst acquired the brand and has carried it since, though the beer holds far more local cultural weight in Maryland than its current production model might suggest.
Food Pairings
Spicy crab seasoning — classic Baltimore steamed crabs especially — works well here because the beer's mild sweetness tempers heat without fighting the seafood. Ballpark-style hot dogs are a natural match, the light grain profile not competing with the frank and mustard. Pizza with salty, fatty toppings like pepperoni benefits from the beer's low bitterness, which lets the cheese and sauce lead. Fried chicken also pairs comfortably, the carbonation helping cut through the richness of the crust without adding flavors that complicate the dish.
Style Guide
American Adjunct Lagers are defined by the use of non-malt grains — typically corn or rice — alongside barley malt, which lightens the body, reduces cost, and softens bitterness. The style was shaped by large American breweries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a way to produce approachable, shelf-stable beer at scale. Hop presence is minimal, malt character is subdued, and ABVs generally run in the 4–5% range. Where a German lager emphasizes clean malt and precise hop balance, the American adjunct version deliberately steps back from both in favor of neutrality and drinkability.