A perfect blend of the German and European immigrants found a fertile atmosphere to produce and sell beer. Taking advantage of the nearby grain harvests, plentiful water, an abundance of ice and many thirsty drinkers, the beer industry helped put Milwaukee on the map.
Miller
In 1854, Frederick Miller immigrated from Germany to the U.S. and founded the Miller Brewing Company a year later. the initial brewery he purchased in the Miller Valley gave easy access to raw materials from nearby farms. The company expanded and by the 1880's was Milwaukee's fifth largest brewing company. During Prohibition, Miller switched to producing sodas and malt syrup to survive. During World War II, Miller was selling in 25 states and focused on one line of beer: High Life. Miller has had a great impact on the city of Milwaukee and continues to produce its beer there to this day.
Pabst Brewing Company
The Pabst Brewing Company is another one of Milwaukee's anchor brewing companies. Founded by Captain Frederick Pabst, the famous Blue Ribbon line of beers originated from blue ribbons tied around bottle necks from 1882 to 1916.
Captain Frederick Pabst
At the age of 12, Frederick Pabst and his family immigrated from Germany and at age 14 became a cabin boy on a Great Lakes steamer. By age 21 he became a captain. While captain of the Comet, he met and married Maria Best in 1862. The Best family had been in the brewing industry in Milwaukee since 1844 and upon Frederick's marriage to Maria, gave shares to him in the mid-1860's. In 1866, Captain Frederick Pabst was given ownership of the company.
Beyond Beer
Pabst has been known primarily for its Blue Ribbon line of beer, but has made other products such as Pabst-ett brand cheddar. The Pabst company has also invested heavily in developing attraction areas throughout Milwaukee such as Whitefish Bay Resort on Lake Michigan and Pabst Theater.
Schlitz Beer
In 1850, German immigrant Joseph A. Schlitz started working as a bookkeeper at a brewery founded a year prior by fellow German immigrant August Krug. Krug's death 6 years later left Schlitz in charge of the brewery. In 1861 he renames it Joseph Schlitz brewery and runs it with 4 of Krug's nephews.
Schlitz's Growth
Schlitz began to expand following the 1871 Chicago Fire, which the company claims to have donated barrels of beer after. What is true is that the fire left many breweries destroyed and left room for Schlitz to expand its market and established tied houses, where they would sell beer to be stocked up on in the house.
Schlitz's Prosperity
Despite Joseph Schlitz's death in 1875 from a ship wreckage on his way back from visiting Germany, the company continued to prosper. In 1902 the company surpassed Pabst as world's best-selling beer after producing 1 million barrels that year. During Prohibition the company survived and after, Schlitz retook the #1 sales spot.
Early Milwaukee Brewing
The first brewery in Milwaukee was established in 1840 near Lake Michigan. Between 1840 and 1860, 35 breweries were opened in Milwaukee due in large part to German immigrants.
Prohibition in Milwaukee
When the 18th Amendment was added to the Constitution in 1919, the major Milwaukee breweries such as Pabst, Miller, and Schlitz survived by switching to sodas and "near beer" (beer with 1/2 a single percent alcoholic content). That is not to say they did not struggle, as they were forced to cut half their workforce. When Prohibition was repealed in 1933, Milwaukee held celebrations such as Midsummer fest, precursor to Summerfest.
Blatz Brewing Company
Another one of Milwaukee's brewing giants, Blatz was first established as Cedar Brewery in 1846, east of the Milwaukee river. Founder John Braun hired Valentin Blatz in 1849. Braun died in 1851 and Blatz took control of the brewery. Throughout the second half of the 19th century, Blatz expanded throughout the Great Lakes. but unlike other breweries Blatz shipped nationwide by 1875.
Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear
Museum Associate:
Brendan Ouimet
Nick Howard
