We all know how much Homer Simpson loves Duff, his brand of beer. It's famous enough to have spawned its own line of brand merchandise - posters, mugs and all sorts of apparel, among other things.

There isn't an actual Duff-brand of beer in production, but, like many things Simpsons, (Mayor Quimby...Ned Flanders...Itchy and Scratchy) it has real-world parallels in the cheap, standby beers you can pick up in any gas station or convenience store, at any time of day, all over the country.

Which beer qualifies as Duff? B put seven local beer lovers to work in a highly scientific, blind, taste-test in honor of Homer Simpson and the goodness of cheap beer.

Our connoisseurs sipped seven brands of beer, which were chosen at random based on beverages readily available at local gas stations and convenience stores - and cost under $5 a six-pack. Our experts ranked the brews from 1-7 (with 1 being the best and 7 being the worst) and then picked their "Duff." To be Duff, testers were informed, the beer must be both inexpensive and drinkable (i.e. not so bad that no one but the utterly desperate "could drink a lot, if it was free," as Chad Culleton, 27, of Turner, put it).

Strange things happened when the full power of the beers to be tested was released.

None of the seven judges knew exactly which brands were entered, but they guessed, for example, that Pabst Blue Ribbon was in the running, and many waxed poetic about its merits over, say, Bud Light, at the start of the test.

In the end, though, Bud Light came in first - named No. 1 by three testers, and as one of the least-offensive by others. PBR, in comparison, came in second-to-last, behind Steel Reserve.

But you can see that yourself, below.

Chad Culleton, 27, of Turner, Sales

Schlitz - 5 - Ok, after a 12-pack of something good.

Pabst Blue Ribbon - 6 - No comment

Steel Reserve - 7 - "Would rather..."

Natural Ice - 1 - Duff

Colt 45 - 2 - Could drink a lot, if free

Milwaukee's Best - 4 - No comment

Bud Light - 3 - Beer water

Kevin Morissette, 27, of Lewiston, Architectural designer

Schlitz - 4 - Bold and bubbly

PBR - 7 - Flat, bland and watery

Steel Reserve - 2 - Heavy, not watery like most cheap beers. Bitter aftertaste.

Natural Ice - 6 - Very carbonated and watered down.

Colt 45 - 1- Same taste start to finish

Milwaukee's Best - 5 - Starts out smooth but finish was weak and watery

Bud Light - 3 - Starts out bitter, but after 5 or 6 it would be like drinking water the rest of the night.

Austin Albert, 24, of Lewiston, Registered Republican (as occupation).

Schlitz - 4 - No comment

PBR - 6 - Bitter

Steel Reserve - 7 - Not enjoyable

Natural Ice - 5 - Pretty flat

Colt 45 - 2 - I don't know

Milwaukee's Best - 3 - Not much taste

Bud Light - 1 - The best, I guess

Bill Bechard, 25, of Sabattus, Electrician

Schlitz - 3 - Smooth taste

PBR - 4 - Bitter taste

Steel Reserve - 7 - Nauseating aftertaste

Natural Ice - 1 - Smooth and delicious

Colt 45 - 6 - Hard to stomach

Milwaukee's Best - 2 - A little watered down, but no aftertaste

Bud Light - 5 - Very watered down

Josh Hedrick, 23, of Bradenton, Fla. (once of Lewiston), College football coach

Schlitz - 4 - Good initial taste, bitter after

PBR - 5 - Bitter from beginning, but can see myself liking it by end of night.

Steel Reserve - 3 - More alcohol. Good for Edward 40-hands. Nice color.

Natural Ice - 6 - More smooth; great for Beirut!

Colt 45 - 2 - Great for a spring afternoon playing whiffle ball

Milwaukee's Best - 7 - If you left beer out for a weekend and spilled something in it, this is the result.

Bud Light - 1 - Duffness!

Joe DeMatteo, 26, of Lewiston, College football coach.

Schlitz - 2 - Light hops taste, bit of a sour aftertaste, have had worse.

PBR - 4 - Bolder initial taste, less of a sourness, heavier beer. The type of beer you serve to strangers.

Steel Reserve - 5 - Definitely served in 40-oz containers. Sour! Should test for enhancement supplements.

Natural Ice - 6 - Less taste and aftertaste, so I guess it's better. The Champagne of 40's. Smells like a sticky floor.

Colt 45 - 3 - Watered down and refreshing.

Milwaukee's Best - 7 - Looks like desert urine from a thirsty camel. Tastes like it, too. Finished the sample!!

Bud Light - 1 - More favor than number 5, still refreshing.

Kiernan McMorrow, 25, of Mechanic Falls, Video editor

Schlitz - 7 - Meaty aftertaste

PBR - 1 - Duff

Steel Reserve - 6 - To sweet and wheaty.

Natural Ice - 2 - No comment

Colt 45 - 5 - No comment

Milwaukee's Best - 4 - No comment

Bud Light - 3 - No comment

Final Scores:

1st - 17 Bud Light

2nd - 21 Colt 45

3rd - 27 Natural Ice

4th - 29 Schlitz

5th - 32 Milwaukee's Best

6th - 33 Pabst Blue Ribbon

7th - 37 Steel Reserve