Pabst Shuts Down Schlitz Beer After 177 Years of Continuous Production

Bottles of Schlitz beer are seen at Sobelman’s Pub and Grill Tuesday, July 22, 2008, in Milwaukee. (Photo: AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Pabst Brewing Co. has officially discontinued Schlitz Beer, a Midwest cult-favorite long marketed as “the beer that made Milwaukee famous.”

The news was confirmed not by Pabst, but by Wisconsin Brewing Co., which announced on Thursday that it has been given the green light to produce a final batch of the beer based on a 1948-era recipe. The Last Schlitz is slated to go on sale on June 27 — after that, remaining stock of the brand will exist solely in the hands of convenience stores and resellers.

“Since Schlitz is ‘The Beer that Made Milwaukee Famous,’ I decided to brew a beer that would be representative of the time Schlitz was on top of the brewing world,” brewmaster Kirby Nelson remarked.  “This brew will represent The Golden Age of Schlitz.”

The first iteration of Schlitz Beer was created by German immigrant August Krug in 1849. After Krug’s death in 1856, the brand was taken over by his bookkeeper, Joseph Schlitz, who renamed the facility and eventually married Krug’s widow.

The brand witnessed tumultuous highs and lows over the following century and a half. At one point the largest brewer in the United States, Schlitz made an infamous recipe change in the early 1970s that led to declining sales and its eventual acquisition by Stroh Brewery. The brand was later acquired by Pabst in 1999, who revived its original all-malt and grain recipe in a bid to regain consumer interest.

Though Schlitz has had a checkered history, it remains a beloved name among Midwest locals. The hashtag #SaveOurSchlitz is currently making the rounds on X and Instagram, while a Change.org petition is collecting signatures to preserve the “true, crisp American classic.”

“Schlitz Beer holds a special place in my heart, as well as in the hearts of many Americans who crave a beverage that’s both crisp and refreshing without the artificial taste. It’s more than just a drink; it’s a tradition that ties us back to an era when simplicity and quality were the hallmarks of a good beer,” the petition reads.

In December, Pabst laid off approximately 60 to 70 employees from its San Antonio headquarters. A spokesperson told Brewbound that the company is consolidating sales territories in the East and West regions while elevating leaders to drive “greater efficiency and improved service.” In addition to its namesake brew, the company produces and sells Old Milwaukee, Lone Star, Rainier and National Bohemian.