Do They Still Make 40 Oz Beers Anymore? The Evolving Story of the 'Forty'

November 23, 2025 •

4 min read

While their market share has become negligible compared to the 1990s, you can still find brands producing their 40 oz beers today. This oversized bottle format, often associated with malt liquor, has evolved dramatically in response to changing consumer tastes and production challenges, but remains a fixture for certain drinkers.

Quick Summary

Forty-ounce malt liquors and beers are still in production, but their market presence has decreased due to evolving consumer demand, supply chain issues, and regional bans. Several classic brands and some newer players continue to offer this iconic beverage size.

Key Points

Still in Production: Yes, they still make 40 oz beers, though their availability is less widespread than in previous decades.
Classic Brands Persist: Iconic malt liquor brands like Colt 45, Olde English 800, and Steel Reserve continue to produce and sell 40-ounce bottles.
Market Shift: The overall market for 40s has decreased significantly, with consumers shifting towards smaller craft beers and canned products.
Production Challenges: Factors like rising glass production costs and general supply chain issues have made 40-ounce bottles less profitable for brewers.
Influential Factors: Local ordinances restricting sale, changes in consumer taste, and competition from craft beer have all contributed to the forty's niche status.
Nostalgia and Niche Market: The modern forty-ounce market is largely sustained by nostalgia and its loyal base of consumers in specific market segments.

The iconic 40-ounce beer bottle, or "forty," holds a unique place in American beverage culture. Popularized during the late 20th century, particularly within hip-hop and working-class communities, the oversized, brown-paper-bag-clad bottle was once a common sight. But for those looking for a forty today, the search can be a little more difficult. The market for this once-ubiquitous beverage has shifted, but reports of its death are greatly exaggerated. They are still made, and are available for those who know where to look, although their production and distribution have changed significantly.

The Shifting Landscape for 40 Oz Beers

The decline of the mainstream forty can be attributed to several factors, reflecting broader shifts in the alcoholic beverage industry.

Evolving Consumer Preferences

One of the biggest factors is the changing tastes of consumers. The rise of craft beer has seen many drinkers gravitate towards smaller, higher-quality, and more diverse offerings. The large, often high-gravity, malt liquor format has fallen out of favor with many, who now prefer to explore different styles, flavors, and breweries.

Supply Chain and Production Challenges

The beverage industry has faced significant supply chain issues in recent years. Glass bottle shortages, driven by rising energy costs and factory shutdowns, have disproportionately affected niche products like the 40-ounce bottle. Heavier and more costly to produce and transport than cans, the unique 40-ounce glass bottle is often one of the first things to be cut during supply chain pressures, leading brewers to shift production to more cost-effective alternatives like cans.

Regulatory and Social Pressures

Cities and states have also played a role in the decline. In some areas, local ordinances have banned the sale of single 40 oz bottles to curb public drinking and address social issues associated with the beverage. Florida, for example, has historically prohibited the sale of 40-ounce malt beverages. This patchwork of legislation creates challenges for national distribution and contributes to regional scarcity.

Iconic Brands Still in the 40 Oz Game

Despite the headwinds, several heritage brands and a few newcomers keep the forty-ounce tradition alive. These are the stalwarts that remain available in select markets and retail locations:

Colt 45: The legendary malt liquor, famously endorsed by Billy Dee Williams with the slogan "Works every time". It continues to be a top contender in the forty market.
Olde English 800: Often just called "OE," this classic is still produced and sold in its iconic 40-ounce bottle.
Steel Reserve 211: Known for its high alcohol content in some regions, Steel Reserve is a widely available and potent forty-ounce option.
King Cobra: Anheuser-Busch's malt liquor offering, King Cobra, continues its long history in the forty format.
Mickey's Fine Malt Liquor: Recognizable for its green grenade-style bottle and rebus puzzles under the cap, Mickey's is still available for nostalgic fans.
E-40 Malt Liquor: Rap artist E-40 created his own brand, offering a "craft malt liquor" in a 40-ounce bottle that appeals to modern drinkers and fans of the genre.

Malt Liquor vs. Standard Beer: A Comparison

To understand the appeal and history of the forty, it's important to distinguish between malt liquor and standard beer.


Feature	Malt Liquor	Standard Beer (e.g., Lager)
Primary Fermentation	Often bottom-fermented, but at warmer temperatures than traditional lagers, using ale yeast.	Typically bottom-fermented with lager yeast.
ABV (Alcohol by Volume)	Generally higher, from 6% to over 8% ABV.	Typically lower, ranging from 4% to 6% ABV.
Flavor Profile	Sweeter, less hoppy, and often with a flavor derived from corn or rice adjuncts.	Crisp, clean, and balanced, with varying levels of malt sweetness and hop bitterness.
Ingredients	Often uses inexpensive adjuncts like corn, rice, or sugar to boost alcohol content.	Water, malted barley, hops, and yeast. Adjuncts may be used but are less central.
Typical Packaging	Historically known for the 40-ounce glass bottle.	Most commonly sold in 12-ounce bottles and cans, six-packs, and larger can formats.

The Future of the Forty

What does the future hold for the forty-ounce beer? The format is unlikely to regain its peak popularity, but it continues to survive as a niche product driven by nostalgia and certain subcultures. The future will likely be shaped by these key factors:

Craft Malt Liquor: The introduction of brands like E-40's and the occasional high-end version from craft brewers like Dogfish Head show a potential path forward, reinventing the category for a modern audience.
Consumer Nostalgia: A significant driver for forty sales is nostalgia. Many consumers seek out these brands as a callback to a different era of drinking. As long as this sentiment exists, the market will have a pulse.
Continued Availability: Despite the challenges, as long as demand remains consistent in certain markets, distributors and retailers will continue to stock the classics, ensuring the forty never completely disappears from shelves.

Conclusion

While the days of the forty-ounce dominating the beer market are long gone, the answer to the question "Do they make 40 oz beers anymore?" is a definitive yes. The market has shrunk, regulations have changed, and the packaging is less common, but the iconic bottle persists thanks to loyal followings and a handful of brands committed to its production. For those seeking the nostalgic oversized experience, the classic malt liquors like Olde English and Colt 45 are still very much in the game, a testament to the cultural staying power of this unique beverage. Malt liquor history on Wikipedia

Frequently Asked Questions

They are harder to find due to evolving consumer preferences favoring craft beers, supply chain issues affecting glass bottle production, higher costs for shipping, and local regulations restricting sales.

Several brands still produce 40s, including Colt 45, Olde English 800, Steel Reserve 211, King Cobra, and Mickey's. Some smaller, niche brands like E-40 Malt Liquor also exist.

Yes, some states and cities have specific laws restricting or banning the sale of single 40 oz bottles. For example, Florida has a long-standing law against them.

Malt liquor typically has a higher alcohol content than regular beer, often achieved by adding adjuncts like corn or sugar during fermentation. It also tends to have a sweeter, less complex flavor profile.

The decline was caused by shifting consumer tastes away from high-gravity malt liquors, the growth of the craft beer segment, supply chain issues affecting glass bottle production, and negative public perception due to associations with binge drinking.

While less common, some niche or craft-oriented brands, such as E-40 Malt Liquor, have been introduced in the 40 oz format. However, it is not a trend seen across major breweries.

Their popularity grew significantly in the 1980s and 90s, partly due to effective marketing and endorsements from figures like Billy Dee Williams. The large volume and relatively low price offered consumers more alcohol for less money.