Pabst Blue Russian.
A prized possession of plaid-clad, bearded, bespectacled hipsters in gentrifying neighborhoods all across the U.S. was lost to the Russians Thursday. Russian brewer Oasis Beverages will take a majority stake in Pabst Brewing Company, maker of PBR and holding company for such local legends as Old Style (Chicago) and National Bohemian (Baltimore). Pabst had been owned by C. Dean Metropoulos, an American investor.
“Pabst Blue Ribbon is the quintessential American brand – it represents individualism, egalitarianism, and freedom of expression – all the things that make this country great,” Eugene Kashpar, chairman of Oasis, said in a statement. “The opportunity to work with the company’s treasure trove of iconic brands, some of which I started my career selling, is a dream come true.”
Oasis bills itself as “the leading independent brewer in Russia,” with additional operations in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarus.
Pabst dates to 1844, when it was known by a different name, and is headquartered in Los Angeles. It will remain there, according to the release announcing the deal.
TSG Consumer Partners, an American investment firm, will take a minority stake in the brewer.
