“Batch 19” Offers a Taste of Pre-Prohibition Style Beer

Beer drinkers curious about what beer tasted like before Prohibition now have their chance to find out thanks to a recent discovery of a 91-year-old, authentic pre-Prohibition recipe. Starting this May, Batch 19 Pre-Prohibition Style Lager will be available on draft in limited quantities and in select locations in Chicago, San Francisco, San Jose, Washington, D.C. and Milwaukee.

Batch 19 is derived from a recipe found in an old logbook discovered in brewery archives dating back before 1919, when Prohibition banned beer. The pre-Prohibition style lager delivers a bold, hoppy flavor that is surprisingly well balanced.

“When Prohibition banned beer in 1919, breweries went under and recipes were lost,” said Brewmaster Keith Villa. “In our case, the archived logbooks with these old recipes were stored in the basement of the brewery and forgotten about until a small flood prompted me to move them to safety. When I realized what I had found, it was something I knew I had to brew. This recipe is part of our history and I think beer fans will really enjoy a chance to taste the past.”

Batch 19 will be available in limited quantities starting in May in select accounts, including:

• Chicago: Lottie’s, Kelly’s Pub, Gallery Cabaret and Will’s Northwoods
• Milwaukee: Bomb Shelter Bar, Bootlegger’s Bar & Grill, City Lounge, Flannery’s, Leff’s Lucky Town, Kochanski’s Concertina Bar
• San Francisco: The Parlor, McTeagues, 83 Proof, Hotel Utah, Lush Lounge
• San Jose: The Brit
• Washington, DC: 18th Amendment, Iron Horse, The Saloon, We the Pizza

“In 1919, when beer was banned, barrels were broken and great beer was lost,” said Batch 19 Brand Manager, Jennifer Anton. “When beer came back 14 years later, it wasn’t the same, and we’ve heard from consumers that they want to experience what beer tasted like before Prohibition. In that rebellious spirit, we were inspired by the authentic recipe to brew it right and bring it back. Batch 19 derives its bold taste by using a rare combination of hops, including Hersbrucker and Strisslespalt.”

Those last batches destroyed in 1919 are what inspired the name. Batch 19 is available only in carefully selected speakeasy style/saloon bars. Beer fans can find out more about the unique Batch 19 story at Batch19.com, Facebook.com/Batch19 and Twitter.com/Batch19, where the brand will share more details about the beer and its limited availability.

About MillerCoors
Built on a foundation of great beer brands and more than 288 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers. MillerCoors is the second largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales. Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment. Miller Lite is the great tasting beer that established the American light beer category in 1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to refreshment as cold as the Rockies. MillerCoors brews full-calorie beers Coors Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft; and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light. The company also imports Peroni, Grolsch, Pilsner Urquell and Molson Canadian and offers innovative products such as Miller Chill and Sparks. MillerCoors features craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company. MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel’s craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wis., and two microbreweries, the Leinenkugel’s 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver. MillerCoors vision is to become the best beer company in America by driving profitable industry growth. MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company.