The Dutton family sure does love their liquor. So who is busy on Yellowstone drinking Yellow Jackets? Well that would be Rip Wheeler, my friends. Rip loves tapping the Colorado Rockies in bottle form.
Written by CraftJack | Updated | 3 min read
Sure, he could be polishing off whiskey like John and Beth Dutton, but it seems he much prefers a delicious beer.
What type of beer is a Yellow Jacket?
Yellow jackets are Coors Banquet beers. And, Yellowstone isn't the only show or movie famous for featuring them.
For example, Burt Reynolds and Sally Field were busy transporting Coors from Texas to Georgia in Smokey and the Bandit. Henry Kissinger drank them. Paul Newman demanded them in his on-set mini fridge. And, in the fantastic refresh on 80's classic, Karate Kid, resident bad ass, Johnny Lawrence, is constantly polishing off Coors Banquet beers in half the scenes of the trending Cobra Kai.
Who brews the Yellowstone beers?
Molson-Coors brews the almighty Rocky Mountain cold snack for your enjoyment. Not an India Pale Ale (IPA) from your local brewing company, Coors Banquet is a refreshing lager that your uncle in Indiana probably drank last night. Or Austin. Or Montana. The Banquet is popular across the country.
Banquet beers (yellow jackets) aren't the only beer from Molson-Coors on Yellowstone though. We're fairly certain that we caught a Coors Light in there as well. Coors Light is a staple among the light beer category. They're also known for their super slim beer cans.
And, perhaps a Sol? Sol is a mexican beer that's brewed nowhere near Montana.
History of Coors Banquet
Thrillist did some solid research and had this to say. "Between Prohibition and 1976, Coors was available in only 11 states, all in the West -- the stuff was unpasteurized, contained no preservatives, and had to be kept cold, so long journeys just weren’t a possibility. The first steps towards national distribution actually came in the 1950s when Coors helped pioneer the use of cold filtering, sterile filling, aluminum cans, and refrigerated trucks, but it wouldn’t reach all 50 states until it landed in Indiana in 1991."
Where does Yellow Jacket come from?
Certainly not from wasps.
The term Yellow Jacket comes from the yellow label found on the Coors Banquet beer. Coors Original was originally introduced to Americans in 1874 by Adolph Coors (obviously). It's been brewed with Rocky Mountain water ever since. It strives to have that, "drinkable "Mile High Taste"." that Coors Banquet is known for. This beer ain't no fancy seltzer. Probably why they drink it on Yellowstone. Definitely why Johnny Lawrence drinks it on Cobra Kai.
1874 is cool and all, but Coors is still not the oldest brewery in the United States. That's Yuengling.
Back in 2011, the Denver Post reported that Coors released commemorative yellow belly cans of Coors to the public. Yellow bellies were just another name for Banquet Beers.
What is the ABV of Coors Banquet beer?
Coors Banquet is 5% ABV.
What is the IBU of Coors Banquet beer?
Coors Banquet is 15 IBU.
Is Coors Banquet an adjunct beer?
Yes, it is.
How many carbs are in Yellow Jackets?
11.7 grams of carbs
What about sugars?
0 grams of sugar
What is the Coors Banquet Fermentation process?
According to the Molson-Coors brewing company, "We only ferment Coors Banquet using the classic technique of closed horizontal box fermentation, which is done at cold temperatures. The process lasts up to 30 days, and plays a major role in giving Coors Banquet its distinctive banana characteristic."
Where can you buy Yellow Jacket Coors Banquet beers?
Check out your local grocery store or large alcohol retailer like Total Wine. You can also buy beer online through various websites and apps. You probably won't be getting Coors Banquet beers in your craft beer subscription box. Well, not unless it's an old school craft beer box - which would be sweet.
Craft Breweries brewing Yellow Jackets
You can also find "Yellow Jacket" beers at some local breweries. That's mostly because they are naming a craft brew Yellow Jacket though.
- River Hawk Brewing
- Spearfish Brewing
Wrapping up
Much like Rip Wheeler, we love Coors Banquet beers. Then again, we love old school pilsners and stouts. And IPAs. And witbiers. Ok ok, we like them all.
Hopefully you've learned why Coors Banquet beers are called Yellow Jackets and who drinks them on the show Yellowstone.
Article Sources
- https://www.nytimes.com/1975/12/28/archives/article-4-no-title-sold-only-in-the-west-coors-beer-is-smuggled-to.html
- https://www.denverpost.com/2011/02/01/coors-banquet-released-in-commemorative-cans-from-past-eras/
- https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/coors-banquet-to-coors-original-cant-they-just-leave-a-beer-alone.635233/
- https://www.coors.com/process
- https://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/15-things-you-didnt-know-about-coors-banquet
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-sugar-in-beer
- https://untappd.com/b/river-hawk-brewing-yellow-jacket/2219068
- https://www.spearfishbrewing.com/all-beers/yellow-jacket/
I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of the topic at hand, particularly the world of beers and brewing. Let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about Yellow Jacket beer (Coors Banquet) and the Dutton family's beverage preferences on Yellowstone.
Yellow Jacket Beer: Yellow Jackets are Coors Banquet beers, known for their refreshing lager. The name "Yellow Jacket" is derived from the yellow label on Coors Banquet beer bottles. This beer has made appearances in various shows and movies, such as Yellowstone, Smokey and the Bandit, and Cobra Kai.
Brewer of Yellowstone Beers: Molson-Coors is the brewery responsible for crafting the Yellowstone beers, including the iconic Coors Banquet. It's a well-known brewery with a wide reach, producing the Rocky Mountain cold snack enjoyed across the country.
History of Coors Banquet: Coors Banquet has a rich history. Originally introduced in 1874 by Adolph Coors, it was initially available in only 11 Western states due to its unpasteurized nature. National distribution efforts began in the 1950s, and it reached all 50 states in 1991.
Yellow Jacket Origin: Contrary to wasps, the term "Yellow Jacket" comes from the yellow label on Coors Banquet beer. Brewed with Rocky Mountain water since 1874, Coors Banquet aims for a "drinkable Mile High Taste."
ABV and IBU: Coors Banquet has an Alcohol By Volume (ABV) of 5% and an International Bitterness Unit (IBU) of 15, making it a moderate-strength beer with a balanced bitterness level.
Adjunct Beer: Yes, Coors Banquet is classified as an adjunct beer, a style that includes additional fermentable sugars beyond the traditional malted barley.
Carbs and Sugars: Yellow Jackets (Coors Banquet) contain 11.7 grams of carbs and zero grams of sugar, making it a relatively low-carb option.
Fermentation Process: The fermentation process for Coors Banquet involves closed horizontal box fermentation at cold temperatures, lasting up to 30 days. This process contributes to the beer's distinctive banana characteristic.
Where to Buy: Yellow Jacket Coors Banquet beers are available at local grocery stores, large alcohol retailers like Total Wine, and online through various websites and apps. Craft beer subscription boxes may not feature Coors Banquet unless it's an old-school craft beer box.
Craft Breweries Brewing Yellow Jackets: Some craft breweries, like River Hawk Brewing and Spearfish Brewing, offer their own versions of "Yellow Jacket" beers, though these are distinct from Coors Banquet.
In conclusion, Coors Banquet's Yellow Jacket beer has a rich history, a specific brewing process, and is enjoyed by characters like Rip Wheeler on Yellowstone and Johnny Lawrence in Cobra Kai. The beer's widespread popularity and unique characteristics contribute to its status as a classic beverage choice.
