Schlitz, the beer famously marketed as 'the beer that made Milwaukee famous,' is being discontinued after a remarkable 177-year run. The final batch will be brewed on May 23, 2026, by Kirby Nelson at the Wisconsin Brewery in Verona, Wisconsin.
A Final Brew with Historic Roots
Nelson will use a 1948 recipe sourced from Schlitz brewhouse operations logs to produce 80 barrels of the beer. His goal is to treat the brand 'with dignity and respect' in its farewell. The resulting product is scheduled to be available for consumption starting June 27, with Wisconsin Brewery planning a celebratory event to honor the brand's legacy.
A Storied History
Schlitz boasts a 177-year history, having once been the largest beer brand in America. It gained particular prominence after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, when it supplied beer to the city as a safe alternative to scarce clean drinking water. For decades, it remained a household name and a symbol of Milwaukee's brewing heritage.
Pabst Brewing Co., the current owner of Schlitz, decided to place the brand 'on hiatus' due to rising costs associated with storing and shipping certain products. The company cited economic pressures that made it unsustainable to continue production at the same scale.
The discontinuation marks the end of an era for a brand that once defined American beer culture. Enthusiasts and historians alike are expected to celebrate the final batch, which will be a limited release available only for a short time.
