Pabst: Why the Blue Ribbon?

Kelly Phillips Erb — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:35:55 +0000

My post about the resurgence of Schlitz (and other “retro” or “nostalgia” beers) generated the following question:

Why did Pabst change the name of their beer to Pabst Blue Ribbon?

And here’s your answer:

Pabst changed the name to Pabst Blue Ribbon since it was the first beer to win a blue ribbon at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893.

The 1893 World’s Fair also marked a few other firsts… Aunt Jemima syrup, Cracker Jack, Cream of Wheat and Juicy Fruit gum also made their debuts alongside diet carbonated soda and hamburgers, which were introduced to the United States.