With its low self-esteem and high urban blight, Hartford is the ultimate underdog city. Sad City Hartford documents the joys, sorrows and eccentricities of New England's Rising Star.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Where Can I Get A "Good" Bad Beer in Hartford?

Usually we enjoy good beers. Sometimes though a situation will call for a good ole' cheap beer. We aren't talking about Bud Light, Miller High Life, or the cliche hipster favorite Pabst. We are talking about beers with no advertising budget that you had no idea even existed anymore. Akin to the "slumpbuster," it can occasionally be necessary to drink a few of these low budget brews in order to clear ones head.

Recently we had the chance to enjoy a couple of exceptionally low-grade brews at Hartford bars. Pictured is Pete Sopersata pouring a Schlitz at a Sad City favorite South End watering hole. We noticed an older gentleman drinking a Schlitz at the bar and decided to order a round. You know you are in for a good time when the bartender responds to your order by asking "Are you sure?" Needless to say, the $1.50 cans of Schlitz went down great.

Just last weekend while visiting Vegas Blvd to serve as a mute wingman, we were informed that the bar only had one beer on tap, Red Stripe, and Schaefer cans. Not one to miss an opportunity, we continued our duty of standing mute while consuming a couple cans of very reasonably priced Schaefers.

What is the "best" bad beer you have drank in Hartford and where can it be found?

Remember folks, beer makes it good. Eleven million people can't be wrong.





Schaefer City or the Sad City? Tough call....

11 comments:

  1. The Spigot is the only one I know that sells cans of Schlitz, PBR, high life, etc...

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  2. Gotta say, great place to prime and order some cheap bears is Mad Dawgs on Union Place in Downtown. Haven't been in there in a minute but they sold 40oz of Private Stock and Schlitz for about as much as you would pay for a 12oz in another bar/club. And it came with a skirt (Brown Paper Bag) to keep it cooler. Definitely a good investment when the pockets are slim.

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  3. Woody's Fishbowl has had cans of Schlitz, Schaeffer and Black Label. Cheap beer goes great with hot dogs.

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  4. Back in the day, you were a "Bud guy" or a "Schlitz guy." I was a Schlitz guy. Thanks for the memories.

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  5. Gerry! That's awesome man, I'll buy you a Schlitz anytime...

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  6. Don't forget several Western NY favorites, including Genny Cream Ale, Utica Club Pilsner and Koch's Golden Anniversary. You can get Genny at the Spigot, $2 a can.

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  7. The Spigot is key, they definitely have a fine selection of good/cheap beers. I think they actually serve Ballentine's as well.

    Vegas Blvd. is a goddamned hipster nightmare.

    Also, the fact that hipsters have co-opted my beloved PBR makes me upset. I'm afraid to even drink it while wearing a flannel shirt for fear of being mistakenly identified as such.

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  8. They do have Ballantine's Ale, at least in a bottle. My buddy had one last night when we were at the Spigot.

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  9. Wow! My butthole, kid!

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  10. Schaefer's slogan might be the best ever: "Schaefer is the one beer to have when you're having more than one."

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