Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer

Pabst Blue Ribbon, commonly known as PBR, is an iconic American lager with a heritage dating back to 1844 when it was founded by Jacob Best in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The brand gained its famous name after winning a 'Blue Ribbon' at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, leading the company to start tying silk ribbons around every bottle. For over a century, it has represented a classic American lifestyle brand, evolving from a traditional family-run brewery to a cultural staple.

Today, the brand is owned by Pabst Brewing Company, which operates as a virtual brewer. This means that while they own the brand and its intellectual property, the actual physical production of the beer is largely outsourced through contract brewing agreements, primary with Molson Coors in the United States. This model allows the brand to maintain high distribution flexibility while focusing on marketing and brand identity. The ultimate ownership sits with Blue Ribbon Intermediate Holdings, LLC, which is controlled by beverage entrepreneur Eugene Kashper and TSG Consumer Partners.