Pabst Warns Thief After Massive Beer Heist: The Clock Is Ticking

Pour one out for Pabst.

A truck carrying roughly 40,000 pounds of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer — more than 50,000 cans’ worth — has disappeared in Southern California, prompting Pabst to issue a public ultimatum to whoever took it.

The truck was last seen in Montclair, California, on August 17, when it was supposed to deliver its cargo to San Diego. Instead, the delivery never arrived. The shipment was worth roughly $45,000.

The haul included approximately 1,406 cases of Pabst Blue Ribbon and 196 cases of Old Milwaukee Non-Alcoholic Beer, according to Pabst in a statement to Men’s Journal. 

The apparent beer heist could be one of the largest of its kind ever reported. Pabst, however, isn’t leaving the matter entirely to police. The beer company took to Instagram to address the thief directly, offering what might be one of the most unusual bargains in the history of criminal investigations.

“To the thief: we don’t fault you for wanting to brag to your friends how much PBR you have, we just wish you obtained it the honorable way,” Pabst wrote. “Pabst is officially starting the clock now — you have exactly 18 days and 44 minutes to return our truck, no questions asked,” the company said. “Leading up to that time, we will be offering a reward to anyone who can help us solve this mystery.” The company concluded its message with a warning: “P.s. this is real and we are deadly serious.”

Pabst later provided an update as the search continued.

“Beer is getting warmer, trail is getting colder. Clock’s still ticking,” the company wrote.

Montclair police said the shipment disappeared after a subcontractor was scheduled to transport it from an Anheuser-Busch distribution center. A police report was filed, and authorities are working with Pabst to recover the truck and its cargo.

“We’re working with the local authorities to try and recover the stolen truck and are grateful for all their hard work,” a Pabst spokesperson told Men’s Journal. “We also appreciate all the individuals who have been sharing possible sightings of the truck.”

The company added one final request for the brew bandit: “We hope that whoever managed to steal our truck also knows the importance of keeping beer cold.”

For now, however, the beer and the truck remain missing, and Pabst’s clock is ticking.