Pabst Blue Ribbon has given thieves a deadline to return a stolen semitruck loaded with roughly 50,000 cans of beer, in what local officials are calling one of the largest beer heists they've ever seen.

How the Theft Happened

The truck, carrying an estimated 40,000 pounds of PBR — equivalent to 1,602 cases, or more than 50,000 cans — was stolen from an Anheuser-Busch distribution center in Montclair, California, on August 17, according to the Montclair Police Department. The vehicle vanished en route to San Diego. Police said it was one of two cargo thefts reported at the facility about an hour apart that day. In the first incident, suspects allegedly arranged a fraudulent pickup using a company claiming to be a subcontractor, making off with a shipment valued at roughly $45,000 (some reports cite $25,000). Combined, police estimate the value of the stolen products in both thefts at around $70,000.

Pabst's Public Response

Rather than staying quiet, Pabst took the theft public through a series of Instagram posts. "STOLEN – 40,000lbs of beer," the company wrote, addressing the thief directly: "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."

The Ultimatum

The company then set an unusually precise deadline: "Pabst is officially starting the clock now — you have exactly 18 days and 44 minutes to return our truck, no questions asked. Leading up to that time, we will be offering a reward to anyone who can help us solve this mystery." The post added: "P.s. this is real and we are deadly serious." Pabst hasn't officially explained the oddly specific countdown, though commentators have speculated it may be a nod to the brand's founding year, 1844.

Keeping the Pressure On

A few days into the countdown, Pabst posted an update maintaining the pressure: "Beer is getting warmer, trail is getting colder. Clock's still ticking." The company asked anyone with tips to snap a photo of the truck or send a direct message with information on its whereabouts.

Pabst's Statement to Local Media

A Pabst spokesperson told ABC7 Eyewitness News the company is "working with the local authorities to try and recover the stolen truck and are grateful for all their hard work," adding somewhat wryly: "We hope that whoever managed to steal our truck also knows the importance of keeping beer cold."

Signs of a Sophisticated Operation

Investigators told Newsweek they found discrepancies in the trucking company information, the driver's identity, and the vehicles used for the pickup — details suggesting the theft may have been more organized than a simple opportunistic grab. Some commentary has speculated the truck could have already been driven toward the US-Mexico border, given Tijuana's proximity to Montclair, though this remains unconfirmed.

Part of a Bigger California Cargo Theft Problem

The heist fits into a much larger, worsening pattern: California now accounts for 34% of all reported cargo thefts nationwide, making it the most targeted state in the country for freight crime during the second quarter of 2026. According to a Q2 2026 report from supply-chain security firm Overhaul, national cargo theft rose 5% from the first quarter, with Southern California remaining the highest-risk zone in the US. While electronics remain the top target for thieves, food and beverages rank second, followed by clothing, shoes, and other consumer goods — with distribution centers, warehouses, truck stops, and major highway corridors the most common targets. The scale of the PBR theft mirrors other high-value beverage heists reported this year, including a $500,000 theft of Noble Oak Bourbon in Philadelphia and a $325,000 frozen snow-crab theft tied to a separate federal cargo-fraud scheme.

What's Next

With the clock ticking toward Pabst's deadline and a reward on offer for anyone who helps crack the case, the Montclair Police Department is asking anyone with information about the driver, vehicles, or delivery company involved to contact them at 909-621-4771. For continuing coverage, see the NewsNation report.