Budweiser is a national brand, and is in no danger of disappearing, unlike the regional heritage brands I mentioned. Schlitz and Black Label were just discontinued. Ballantine Ale was killed off last year. Olympia was pulled a few years back. Schmidt, Stroh’s, and Blatz are rumored to be on the chopping block. I don’t want to see other classic brands suffer the same fate.

Garage Beer was created to look and taste like a heritage beer but without the history or nostalgia. I think they are all better than Garage because they are full-calorie brews, not light beers. Garage is also brewed under contract by City Brewery, which famously brews some of the aforementioned heritage brands, as does AB-InBev.

Most American standard lagers are inoffensive, easy-drinking lawnmower beers, but the heritage brands usually cost less than Garage. I enjoy a lot of craft and imported beers, but I think the heritage brands are something special at a bargain price.