My beer cellar had dipped below the 400 bottle mark, so I masked up and walked out to Orange & Brew, my nearest bottle shop, to pick up some new bottles or cans that I can talk about here in the next few days. Along with the fancy local beers, I picked up a crowler of Old Style, since it was $5 and they were earmarking some of the proceeds to an employee relief fund. And on the suggestion of the clerk, I got a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon Hard Coffee.

I’ve already tried an extension of the Pabst line into territories they Should Not Venture: The Pabst American Pale Ale. But at a time when every brewer is putting all their chips onto the Hard Seltzer slot, including Pabst, this is a brand extension that at least tries to be a little different.

First off, the label proclaims its origin at Neenah, WI. Brewpublic already did the legwork on this location, and found the source is Horseshoe Beverage Co., which makes “ready to drink” iced coffees, and already has a few hard coffees under its own brand. Ratebeer, however lists this as a lo-cal Stout with flavors added. In this case, they are quite wrong.

As soon as I poured the stuff, I could see this was no beer. It poured brown and still like any canned latte. Just a little bit of milk foam around the edge of the glass. The smell just had a note of coffee, mostly showing vanilla and cream. So this is not a stout at all. Just a canned latte. But for what it is, it tastes just fine.

I can’t pick up any alcohol in the 12 oz. can. So I couldn’t say whether it would pick me up or make me drowsy. It does make a good mixer with vodka, or a base for a White Russian. It’s also interesting that it is noted as a blend of Arabica or Robusta coffee. Decades of my custom at Starbucks has led me to believe that Robusta is a cheaper, harsher coffee, but further reading reveals its character gives it a good crema in espresso, and a stronger caffeine content. No mistake, it’s pretty tasty as “ready-to-drink” coffees go.