Stroh’s traces back to Bernhard Stroh, who started brewing in Detroit in 1850. The family ran the business for 149 years, growing it into the nation’s third-largest brewer at its peak, before selling to Pabst and Miller in 1999. The brand survives today as a value-priced Pabst lager, with a separate Detroit-made Bohemian-Style Pilsner revival that launched in 2016.
At a Glance
| Style | American lager |
| ABV | 4.5% to 4.6%, depending on source |
| Calories | About 143 per 12 fl oz |
| Brewer | Pabst Brewing Company (San Antonio, Texas) |
| History | Founded 1850 in Detroit, family-owned until sold to Pabst/Miller in 1999 |
| Availability | Widely available at US grocery and liquor stores |
| Typical price | Around $18 to $23 for a 30-pack of cans |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Stroh’s is a classic value American lager, built for volume drinking rather than complexity.
The full review
Stroh’s pours pale gold with light carbonation and a thin head that fades fast. The aroma is mild, mostly grainy malt with a faint metallic note common to mass-market cans.
On the palate it is light-bodied and slightly sweet, with corn-adjunct character and very low bitterness. It finishes clean and watery rather than crisp, which is typical of the budget American lager category it now occupies.
It is worth separating this everyday Stroh’s Lager from the Detroit-made Stroh’s Bohemian-Style Pilsner, a 5.5% ABV all-malt beer brewed locally at Brew Detroit that genuinely aims for craft-beer quality and taste. The two shouldn’t be judged the same way; the lager reviewed here is the mass-market, nationally distributed version.
“It’s a beer carrying 175 years of Detroit history in a can that, today, tastes like exactly what it is: a cheap, easy-drinking lager from a legacy name.”, Beer Is My Life
- Genuine brewing heritage dating back to 1850
- Cheap by the case, good value for casual drinking
- Easy, low-bitterness lager that suits big gatherings
- Flavor is thin and unremarkable next to modern craft lagers
- Faint metallic note some drinkers pick up on
- Today’s mass-market Stroh’s is a different product from the historic Detroit-brewed beer
Who it is for
Drinkers who want a cheap, easy American lager for a crowd, and anyone with a soft spot for the Stroh’s name and Detroit brewing history. For another value American classic lager from the same value-lager tier, see our Hamm’s Beer review.
Where to buy Stroh’s Beer
Stroh’s is widely available at US grocery and liquor stores and on beer delivery apps. Use the button above to check availability and pricing near you.
FAQs
Who makes Stroh’s beer today?
Pabst Brewing Company, which acquired the Stroh Brewery Company in 1999. Current production is based in San Antonio, Texas.
How old is the Stroh’s brand?
Bernhard Stroh started brewing in Detroit in 1850, making the brand 175 years old.
What is the ABV and calorie count of Stroh’s?
About 4.5% to 4.6% ABV and roughly 143 calories per 12 fl oz can.
Is Stroh’s still brewed in Detroit?
The mass-market Stroh’s Lager is not, but a separate Stroh’s Bohemian-Style Pilsner is brewed locally at Brew Detroit in Corktown, launched in 2016.
Why did the Stroh family sell the brewery?
Rising competition and inefficiency at their Detroit plant led the family to sell the company to Pabst and Miller Brewing in 1999.
