Ratings of 18 beers in the Washingtonian's first annual beer tasting (June 1975)

Ratings of 18 beers in the Washingtonian's first annual beer tasting (June 1975)

A panel of seven - two noted local beer experts, two former professional athletes and three beer drinkers of some repute - conducted a taste test of 18 popular beers for the Washingtonian Magazine. The beers were served without labels in groups of three, with bread available between tastes to reset the taste buds and a 10 minute break between groups. Panelists were asked to score each beer from 1 (terrible) to 10 (excellent), with five considered average. The results are as follows (maximum score 100)

1. Heineken 83.7
2. Old Milwaukee 71.5
3. Pabst Blue Ribbon 68.6
4. Schlitz 68.6
5. Miller High Life 67.2
6. Tuborg 61.5
7. Budweiser 60.8
8. Michelob 60.8
9. National Bohemian 57.9
10. Andecker 54.3
11. National Premium 52.2
12. Schmidt's 48.6
13. Yuengling 47.9
14. Coors 47.2
15. Rolling Rock 47.2
16. Lowenbrau Light 46.5
17. Black Label 43.6
18. Schaefer's 33.6

There was a surprising disparity in ratings for beer number 16, Lowenbrau Light. The two experts rated this beer superior to all other brands, but the non-experts, placed it at the bottom of the list.

Source: Washingtonian magazine (June 1975)