Mickey's
Mickey's is a malt liquor known for its hornet logo and green bottle.
Mickey's is a malt liquor brand owned by the Miller Brewing Company, itself a part of Molson Coors. The beer has an alcohol content of 5.6% by volume. It was first brewed in 1962 by the Sterling Brewery in Evansville, Indiana, and continued there until 1972, when the brewery was bought by the G. Heileman Brewing Company. G. Heileman was later acquired by the Stroh Brewery Company in 1996, and Stroh sold the Mickey's brand to Miller during its 1999 closure.
The brand is best known for its 12-ounce bottle: bright green, barrel-shaped, with a waffle-like ribbed surface and a wide mouth. The label and bottle cap both show a hornet, and below the label are rebus puzzles. Mickey's has sponsored the Ultimate Fighting Championship, using the slogan "Get Stung," and has featured UFC fighters on 24-ounce cans. The malt liquor is also sold in 12, 16, 22, 32, and 40-ounce sizes.
In popular culture, Tom Waits' 1983 song "Frank's Wild Years" from the album *Swordfishtrombones* mentions the drink: the title character "stopped at the liquor store, picked up a couple of Mickey's Big Mouths, and drank them in the car down by the Shell station." Ugly Kid Joe's 1992 track "Panhandlin’ Prince" from *America's Least Wanted* also references it with the line, "Smoke cigarettes and drink my Mickey’s Fine Malt Liquor Brew."
Quick Facts
- Brewery
- Miller Brewing Company
- Style
- Malt Liquor
- Abv
- 5.6
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Mickey's was created by Sterling Brewery in Evansville, Indiana, which brewed it from 1962 through 1972, when the company was purchased by the G. Heileman Brewing Company. In 1996, G. Heileman was acquired by the Stroh Brewery Company, who then sold the brand to Miller during their 1999 closure. The brand is known for its bright green barrel-shaped, waffle-ribbed wide-mouthed 12-ounce bottle, which features an image of a hornet on the label and the cap, and rebus puzzles beneath it. At some point Mickey's began to sponsor the Ultimate Fighting Championship, using the phrase 'Get Stung', and has featured several UFC fighters on 24 ounce cans. Mickey's is also available in 12, 16, 22, 32, and 40 ounce sizes.
Reader's Guide
Mickey's holds a place in popular culture through references in music. In the track 'Frank's Wild Years' by Tom Waits on his 1983 album Swordfishtrombones, the song's title character 'stopped at the liquor store, picked up a couple of Mickey's Big Mouths, and drank them in the car down by the Shell station.' There is also a reference to Mickey's in the track 'Panhandlin' Prince' by Ugly Kid Joe from their 1992 album America's Least Wanted, which contains the lyrics 'Sitting on a rusty park bench, baby. Not much else to do. Smoke cigarettes and drink my Mickey's Fine Malt Liquor Brew.' The brand's association with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and its distinctive packaging have contributed to its recognition as a malt liquor brand. Its history traces back to the Sterling Brewery in Evansville, Indiana, and it has passed through several corporate owners before becoming part of the Miller Brewing Company.
Did You Know?
- Mickey's was originally brewed by Sterling Brewery in Evansville, Indiana from 1962 through 1972.
- The brand features a hornet on its label and cap, along with rebus puzzles beneath the label.
- Tom Waits referenced 'Mickey's Big Mouths' in his song 'Frank's Wild Years' from the album Swordfishtrombones.
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