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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 6, 1981)
page 8 daily nebraskan friday, february6, 1981 Advertisement THE GREAT AMERICAN BEER SWITCH Advertisement 48 of 200 loyal Budweiser drinkers also prefer Schlitz Schlitz' impressive showing against Michelob wasn't the first time loyal beer drinkers picked Schlitz ver their brand. Results were similar in earlier tests against number one sell ing Budweiser. In a live TV taste test con ducted just before the second half of the OaklandHouston playoff game, 46 out of 100 loyal Bud drinkers preferred Schlitz over their own beer. A week later, 100 more Bud drinkers were tested. This time 50 -exactly half-pulled the switch for Schlitz. All in all, 48", of the loyal Bud drinkers tested liked Schlitz better. Prior to the test, the panelists had signed affida vits affirming that Budweiser was their beer. Most of them seemed confident that Bud would be their choice in the test. At least 48", left with a new outlook and some, per haps, with a new beer. "I was confident" states Schlitz Chief Frank Sellinger The results of the taste tests were not unexpected for Schlitz Chief Executive. Prank Sellinger. "Stme people thought it was risky to do live TV taste tests in front of millions of people'.' says Sellinger. "but it didn't Uike nerve, it just took confidence'.' Sellinger. a master brewer for 40 years, has helped brew s me f the w rld's finest txvrs. Since joining the company three ye.irs ago. he has con centrated on making Schlitz the best premium beer on the market. "They brought me here to brew the best'.' savs Sellinger. "And this Schlitz is it!' It seems quite a few of the Bud. Miller and Michelob drinkers tested agree. " 1 "J " l"'''''J'" It was Schlitz rs. Michelob Beer and fonner SFL Referee Tomtnx Bell called score fur Schlitz in the live T ' taste test. the 50 out of 100 Michelob drinkers pick Schlitz on live Super Bowl TV 100 million fans watched as Schlitz t(X)k on Michelob in the finale of "The Great American Beer Switch!' The dramatic test was conducted live during half time of the Super Bowl game. The huge audience wit nessed 100 loyal Michelob drinkers chmse between two unlabelled beers their own Michelob and today's Schlitz. The outcome proved a surprise t( many Michelob drinkers wh found themselves preferring the taste of Schlitz over the taste of Michelob. Each of the 100 loyal Michelob drinkers was served two beers, one Schlitz and one Michelob, in unlabelled ceram ic mugs. Tasters were told to indicate a tie, or make a choice by pulling an electronic switch left or right in the direction of the beer they preferred. To in sure fairness, the testing was conducted by a leading inde pendent consumer researc h firm. The results were vali dated by another top statistical research company. Klrick and Lavidge. Inc. Before the test, the Michel b drinkers probably thought they would pick their own brand. A ;t of them seemed surprised as they watched the number of Michelob drinkers who pre ferred Schlitz flash up for na tional TV. 200 Miller drinkers tested: Schlitz is preferred by 37 In the weeks following the impressive showing against 1 Budweiser. Schlitz went head to head against another leading beer Miller. In two taste tests appearing n live televisi n. a t tal f 200 loyal Miller drinkers were asked to choose between their beer and Schlitz. Again, a sig nificant number of Miller drinkers decided their beer was second best and pulled the switch for Schlitz. leer fans surprised at choice of Schlitz Panelists who decided their beer was sea nd best and chose Schlitz expressed surprise. Similar reactions have been registered in other taste tests across the country. "I honestly selected the beer I preferred and it wasn't Miller." admitted Miller drinker. Albert Gual ano. "I'm genuinely surprised'.' exclaimed Guy D'Anne. "I thought Bud was better but I've been proved wrong'.' "Schlitz has much better flavor than Miller, and it goes down easier," attested Bill Weber, "I could drink it all night!' Panelist Bernie Felsbit summed up the reaction of many of the Bud, Miller and Michelob drinkers when he said, "There may be a new beer in mv future!' Do it yourself-try the "Great American Beer Switch" test This test requires tyvo iden tical mugs, a Schlitz and your regular beer, at equal tempera ture. Libel the mugs 'T and "2" so the taster won't know which beer is which. Pour the beers t equal heads ut f the taster's sight. To ensure that the choice is made on taste alone, serve the beer in non-transparent mugs r have the taster dose his eyes. Now let the taster sample both of the beers and chmse the one that tastes better. Now vou taste both beers yourself. Did you pick your regular brand!' Or todav's Schlitz.' pE ft j -7 i if fr-'Jt t I I t?l J ' - I I htyal Michelob d tinkers chose between unlabelled muis nt their Mich lob and Unltix's Schlitz.