What is the relevance of the Number 33? Is it reference to Club 33 – Walt Disney’s private Aryan-only club? Is it a slight against Pabst’s Blue Ribbon being an amalgamation of 33 different brews? Was it prophecy that Leslie Nielson would one day make the greatest movie ever, Naked Gun 33 1/3, or is it in reference to the age that most of us will need to start taking some type of restorative hair supplements? There are many arguments surrounding the mysterious ‘33’ found on the back of Rolling Rock bottles, and the brand themselves has never dispelled any of them. In fact, it seems as if they want the rumors surrounding the mysteriousness of the number to live on, and I think they are right in doing so. Rumors are fun. Here are some of the more popular rumors surrounding the number ‘33’ found on each bottle of delicious Rolling Rock beer.

The Statement of Quality Assurance

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It is argued that when the Rolling Rock brand was introduced in 1939, the Tito family, who owned Latrobe Brewery, couldn’t agree on a slogan to show their commitment to quality for the back of the bottle. There were differences of opinion: should a long or short slogan be used? Eventually a 33 word version was agreed upon:

"Rolling Rock - From the glass lined tanks of Old Latrobe, we tender this premium beer for your enjoyment as a tribute to your good taste. It comes from the mountain springs to you.”

Someone accidentally scribbled ‘33’ on the label proof sent to the bottle printer, noting its brief length. Mistakenly, the printers used this in the final copy and printed it as part of the label and it has remained a part of the label art ever since.

33 Streams Flow into the Latrobe Brewing Reservoir

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One of the main selling points of the beer is the natural ingredients used in its production, of which mountain springs is the basis. It is rumored that there are 33 different springs that all flow into the same reservoir from which the brewery draws it water. Some say that there is frequently variance in the beer’s taste as a result of different levels of runoff in each season of the year the beer is produced.

The Repeal of Prohibition

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In December 1933, The Eighteenth Amendment (prohibiting sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol for consumption) was repealed. Since Rolling Rock was not founded until 1939, it is rumored that the '33' pays tribute to the end of this era on each bottle produced – because if it weren’t for the end of Prohibition, Rolling Rock could never have been.

Racetrack Win Funds the Founding of Latrobe Brewery

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Legend has it that one of the founding members of the brewery bet $33 on Horse #33 (Old Latrobe) and won. With his earnings, he was able to use this money to invest in the brewery in 1939, founded as Latrobe Brewery. The rest is history.

Ties to Freemasonry

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‘Level 33’ is the highest level attainable in the Freemasons, an international fraternal organization widely believed to be a secret society, of which many notable military, political and financial leaders are members – and from which they make their elite connections. There are no acutal suspicions mentioned of the brewer's association with the group, but the mystery of both is enough to make the connection.

Rolling Rock's Ingredients

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The number '33' references the 33 letters in Rolling Rock’s combined ingredients: water, malt, rice, hops, corn, brewer’s yeast. Rolling Rock is one of the few beers to blatantly reveal the ingredients of its beer, and it is believed that ‘33’ is reference to the brevity and simplicity of this brewery’s production methods.

Groundhog’s Day

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Perhaps the biggest regional holiday in Pennsylvania, Groundhog’s day is the 33rd day of each year. Many people believe that this ‘33’ is a reference to this day, in which a groundhog is hailed to predict the continuation of winter, or if it is going to be an early spring. Groundhog’s day is taken surprisingly serious in many areas in Pennsylvania, where the old Latrobe Brewery was located, with many believers in this ritual claiming that the groundhogs’ prognostications being 75-90% accurate.

Brewery Layout

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It is also suggested that ‘33’ is on the label because this is how many steps there were between the brewmaster’s office and the brewing floor – in the original brewery layout. This is a route that he took a number of times each day. There is a bit of argument over this rumor, some people claiming the original stairwell to be only 30 stairs, contesting the original claim of 33.

Beer Temperature

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According to the Latrobe Brewing, then later Anheuser Busch, Rolling Rock should be served at 33 degrees for optimal taste and enjoyment. This is the most refreshing temperature possible – seeing as though 32 degrees is the temperature at which water freezes (a little lower for beer). This enables a refreshing beer to start, with flavors that open up as it warms. The beer is also supposedly brewed at 33 degrees, making it an important number in both the creation and consumption of this beverage.

Race Horse Coin Flip

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A variation of the theory regarding the horse on the bottle is that two founding members (who were brothers) were avid horse race enthusiasts and each wanted their favorite race horse featured in the image on the bottle. A coin was flipped, and the winning brother owned a horse numbered ‘33’, which has ever since been featured on the back.

33 Steps Turn Water into Beer

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Another claim is that the first Rolling Rock brew master once mused that it took 33 steps to turn water into beer. Unfortunately, he did not outline these steps on the beer label itself, it is suggested that this pays tribute to the hard work and methodology involved in making Rolling Rock.

So which rumor is truth? Who knows? Who cares? Instead of trying to get to the bottom of this super-important mystery, I would rather grab myself a beer and leave you with an interesting poem by Demetri Martin that contains exclusively the words on the back of the Rolling Rock bottle. Aptly titled, "All of the Words on a Bottle of Rolling Rock Beer in a Different Order.”

Women, your ability to operate
extra tender
springs from birth.
Good machinery comes
as your contents
cause enjoyment.
Cash, beer, a car ... rock and rolling?
During "it", the general warning:
"We may risk pregnancy
according to old problems."
Your refund from the government
for alcoholic beverages?
Not OK.
Refund this premium, beer surgeon,
because premium beer impairs taste.
A drink—to the tribute of health, to the pale alcoholic.
Rolling, glass tanks of beverages rock this lined mountain.
Should the defects
of consumption
drive me ...
Or you?
Latrobe, Latrobe COL, CT, DE, IA, MA, NY, VT, CA, MI
"33"

Sources:

straightdope.com

wikipedia.org

rollingrock.com

slate.com

houblon.net

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