Do They Still Sell 40 Oz Beers?
The 40 oz beer – a big, bold bottle that screams “party time.” Back then, you’d see people sipping on these oversized brews on street corners and at backyard barbecues. But do these iconic giants still have a place in today’s calorie-conscious, craft beer-loving world? Or have health considerations and changing tastes put the kibosh on the mighty forty? We’re cracking open the history and current status of the once-legendary forty-ouncer. So sit back, relax, and let’s pour one out for the big boys as we tackle the frothy question: Do They Still Sell 40 Oz Beers?
Summarized Insights
The iconic 40 oz beer bottle, also known as a “forty” or “Charlie Sheen,” was a staple of college parties and hip-hop culture back in the 80s and 90s. Though their popularity has waned over the years, you can still find the 40s sold at most gas stations, convenience stores, and supermarkets across the United States. Brands like Olde English 800 and Colt 45 continue to produce their signature bold brews in the mighty forty-ouncer. So, for those feeling nostalgic for the golden age of forty drinking, fret not – these classic oversized bottles are still widely available, offering big, cheap swigs for under $3 in most areas. The forty lives on!
Current Availability of 40 Oz Beers
The 40 oz beer, affectionately known as a “forty,” has been a staple of American drinking culture for decades. While the popularity of these oversized bottles has waned over the years, many classic 40 oz brews are still being produced today. However, availability varies between brands and beer companies. Let’s take a look at which beers still come in 40 oz bottles and which ones no longer offer these supersized options.
Budweiser and Bud Light Forty Ounce Beers
Out of the major domestic beer brands, Budweiser and Bud Light continue to produce and sell their beers in 40 oz bottles, sometimes labeled as “quart” bottles. For those feeling nostalgic about big bottles from decades past, you can still grab a Budweiser 40 oz or Bud Light 40 oz from most convenience stores, supermarkets, and gas stations across America.
Anheuser-Busch, which owns the Budweiser brand, always continued 40 oz production amidst waning popularity. While less ubiquitous today, the king of beers still offers its signature brews in the king of bottles. Budweiser and Bud Light 40s deliver the same classic flavors in a pocket-friendly and party-ready package.
Coors and Miller No Longer Produce 40 Ounce Beers
Meanwhile, competing brands like Coors and Miller no longer brew their beers in 40 oz bottles. In the early 2000s, Miller Brewing Company stopped producing their Miller High Life and Miller Genuine Draft beers in anything more significant than 32 oz. Coors also discontinued 40 oz sales of their flagship Coors Banquet brand around 2006.
The loss of Miller and Coors forties left Budweiser carrying the torch of major domestics in the large bottle category. However, several malt liquor and specialty beer companies uphold the tradition today in bold, bodacious ways.
Steel Reserve and Old English Still Sold in 40 Ounces
Malt liquor brands like Steel Reserve and Old English 800 maintain muscular 40 oz beer availability today. Unlike the major brewers, these labels continue to embrace the big bottles, likely due to their popularity among their core urban customer bases.
Steel Reserve produces an array of high gravity, high alcohol lagers and ales in the classic 40 oz format. Brands like Steel Reserve High Gravity, Steel Reserve 211, and Steel Reserve Alloy Series come in plastic 40 oz bottles, packing a serious punch at low prices.
Old English 800 also pays homage to the past by selling their signature malt liquors in glass 40 oz bottles. From Old English 800 to Old English HG800, you can still grab all your old-school favorites in their iconic oversized packaging.
The brands keeping the 40 oz spirit alive today tend to be those that built their reputation on big, potent brews—perfect for sharing at your next outdoor gathering.
Other Beer Brands Offering 40 Ounce Options
While not as common as in previous decades, there are still other beer companies producing brews in 40 oz bottles:
- Mickey’s Malt Liquor – Known for their resealable Widemouth bottles, Mickey’s sells affordable malt liquors in 40 oz sizes.
- Hurricane – Anheuser-Busch’s malt liquor label, Hurricane High Gravity, comes in 40 oz plastic bottles.
- St. Ides High Gravity – This classic malt liquor brand still produces its St. Ides Special Brew in 40 oz formats.
- Colt 45 – Pabst Brewing Company sells this popular malt liquor in 40 oz glass bottles.
- King Cobra – An Anheuser-Busch malt liquor brand, King Cobra comes in 40 oz cans and bottles.
While major brands have moved away from 40 oz beers, several labels continue to see value in bigger, bolder brews. The forty-ounce appeal lives on today in specialty beers and nostalgia-inducing classics.
Supply Chain Issues and the Decline of 40 Oz Beers
The once-ubiquitous 40 oz beer bottle has declined over the past few decades. Supply chain disruptions and rising costs have made these cheap, high-volume brews less profitable.
Supply Chain Issues
The 40 oz bottle is traditionally glass, though some brands use plastic. Glass supply scarcity and rising costs have plagued brewers, making large bottles unappealing.
In 2019, over 80% of beer leaders ranked glass supply as their top concern. With limited glass and trucking, companies like Miller, Coors, and Corona exited 40 oz production. But brands like Budweiser and Mickey’s uphold the format, having more control over glass supply.
Rising Costs
In addition, increasing expenses for ingredients, labor, transportation, and fuel cut into slim profit margins of 40 oz beers. As costs rose, brands focused on more profitable products.
With supply chain chaos ongoing, the road remains rough for forty ouncers. Major brands are unlikely to revive the format. But stalwarts like Mickey’s keep the dream alive for beer lovers.
VinePair on Decline
In their article, VinePair dove into the history and struggles of the forty-ouncer. They note 1995 as the peak, with brands like Olde English and Colt 45 dominating single-serve beer sales.
But by the 2000s, economic and supply pressures pushed the king-sized bottle toward obscurity. However, VinePair insists, “The forty-ounce is an icon…an important artifact of culture.” Nostalgia may fuel its niche resurgence.
Though once again a niche format, the bold simplicity of the classic forty still resonates with some drinkers today. For those seeking that big beer experience, a few retro brands continue to embrace these iconic oversized bottles.
The Story of the Forty
The forty-ounce beer bottle has an intriguing history intertwined with American drinking culture. This supersized bottle has weathered changing tastes to become an icon.
Discontinuation of Larger Bottles
In the 1990s, malt liquors were sold in 45 oz and 64 oz bottles. But by 2000, brands like Olde English, Colt 45, and King Cobra had discontinued these sizes amidst concerns about excessive drinking. Supply chain challenges also made the large glass bottles unfeasible, so only the forty-ounce remained.
Consumer Demand
Cutting 45s and 64s upset many customers. Throughout the 2000s, fans lobbied brands to bring back bigger bottles. Consumers waxed nostalgic about sharing oversized brews with friends. But economic factors kept the big bottles off shelves.
Standout 40 oz Brands
While major companies scaled back forty-ounce production, several labels uphold the format’s heritage:
- Olde English 800 sells its malt liquor in iconic 40 oz glass bottles.
- Steel Reserve comes in 40 oz plastic bottles with bold flavors and higher alcohol content.
- Colt 45 pays homage to its roots, selling exclusively in 40 oz bottles.
- Mickey’s offers an easy-drinking malt liquor in its signature 40 oz wide mouth bottles.
Though past their heyday, quality forty ouncers endure based on taste, potency, and nostalgia. Their imposing presence is diminished but still looms large.
Despite public criticism, the forty-ounce beer bottle remains ingrained in American drinking culture. And a few beloved brands continue to fly the flag for the mighty forty-ouncer.
State Regulations on Alcohol Bottle Sizes
The availability of large-format beers like the forty-ouncer depends heavily on state laws. Regulations around maximum bottle sizes can encourage or prohibit brewers from selling beers in big bottles. One prominent example is Alabama’s Gourmet Bottle Bill and its influence on forty-ounce beers.
Alabama’s Gourmet Bottle Bill
In 1989, Alabama enacted a law called the Gourmet Bottle Bill, or Act 89-147. State Representative Thomas Jackson introduced it. The bill banned the sale of beer and malt liquor in containers over 25.4 ounces (750 ml).
According to Jackson, the law aimed to curb public drunkenness. Critics argued it targeted low-income communities and racial minorities. But after heated debate, the Alabama legislature passed the bill in a tight vote.
When the Gourmet Bottle Bill took effect in 1990, it effectively outlawed the sale of forty-ounce beers and larger bottles statewide. Malt liquor brands like Colt 45, St. Ides, and Country Club were forced to cease production of 40 oz and other oversized bottles.
Impact on Beer and Malt Liquor Availability
The Gourmet Bottle Bill’s size restriction had an immediate impact on beer availability in Alabama:
- Anheuser-Busch discontinued larger Budweiser, Bud Light, and King Cobra malt liquor bottles.
- Pabst Brewing Company pulled 40 oz bottles of brands like Colt 45, Old Milwaukee, and Schlitz Malt Liquor from Alabama shelves.
- Stroh Brewery Company halted all 40 oz bottle production of their Stroh’s, Pabst, Schlitz, and Old Milwaukee beers for Alabama markets.
While most brewers complied with the 25.4 oz limit, some got creative. Miller Brewing Company sold their Miller Genuine Draft in 25.2 oz bottles to squeak in under the size cap.
Efforts to Repeal the Gourmet Bottle Bill
Almost immediately after its passage, the Gourmet Bottle Bill faced repeal efforts. Opponents argued it unfairly discriminated against low-income people and violated commercial free speech. Plus, after the ban, Alabama continued to lead the nation in drunk driving deaths. But through legal appeals and lobbying, defenders upheld the status quo.
To this day, the Gourmet Bottle Bill remains in effect. Alabama is one of the few states that caps beer bottle sizes by law. And the iconic forty-ouncer remains exiled from store shelves despite repeal attempts. Only federal legislation could override the ban.
FAQ
When did 40 oz beers become popular?
Forty-ounce beers first became popular in low-income urban areas in the late 1970s and 1980s. Their low cost, higher alcohol content, and large serving size made them attractive to younger drinkers. The beers quickly became ingrained in hip-hop culture, mentioned in rap songs, and frequently consumed and referenced.
Why are they called the 40s?
Obviously, because they contain 40 ounces of beer! The “40” moniker is derived from their volume. Other nicknames include “forties” and “forty ounces.” They are also sometimes referred to as “quart bottles” since 40 oz is approximately equal to a quart.
Related Video: Why some beers are objectively better than others.
Final Words
While their glory days may be behind them, 40 oz beers are still standing tall on store shelves today. The oversized bottles have enduring appeal – they’re affordable, offer big servings, and provide instant street cred. The iconic forty still delivers for those craving a blast from the past or just looking to party on a budget. Of course, consuming these brews responsibly is key. But when chilled and shared among friends, the king-sized forty remains a classic, mighty, and memorable way to drink beer. Their bold, imposing presence may be diminished, but make no mistake – forty ouncers are alive and well in the 2020s. The big boys are here to stay.