Full Breakdown
Schlitz Beer Discontinued After 177 Years: Final Batch Brewed in Wisconsin
5/20/2026, 12:54:02 PM
Core Event – Pabst Ends Production, Wisconsin Brewing Co. Crafts Farewell Batch
Pabst Brewing Co. announced that it is discontinuing the Schlitz Premium brand, ending a run that began in 1849. With Pabst’s decision, Wisconsin Brewing Company received permission to brew a single 80-barrel batch on May 23, 2026, at its Verona, Wisconsin, facility. The batch will be released in limited quantities on June 27, 2026, accompanied by farewell events at local venues.
Historical Background & Significance
Schlitz originated as a tavern brewery opened by August Krug in Milwaukee in 1849. After Krug’s death, bookkeeper Joseph Schlitz acquired the operation and expanded it into one of the nation’s largest breweries. The brand gained national prominence after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, when it shipped beer to Chicago residents lacking clean water. Schlitz remained the country’s largest brewer until the late 1950s, when Anheuser-Busch overtook it. Declining popularity began in the 1970s after cost-cutting recipe changes, leading to sales drops, a sale to Stroh Brewing in 1982, and acquisition by Pabst in 1999.
Key Figures & Organizations
- Pabst Brewing Co. – current owner; Zac Nadile, head of brand strategy, provided the corporate rationale.
- Wisconsin Brewing Company – Verona-based brewer tasked with the final batch; brewmaster Kirby Nelson oversaw production.
- Joseph Conforti – general manager of Milwaukee Brat House, a longtime Schlitz retailer, offered local perspective.
- August Krug and Joseph Schlitz – founders whose early leadership established the brand.
Data & Statistics
- Operational span: 177 years (some reports cite 175 years).
- Final batch size: 80 barrels, brewed May 23, 2026.
- Release date: June 27, 2026, with pre-orders beginning May 23.
- Recipe basis: 1948 brewing specifications, using six-row malted barley, yellow corn grits, German Hallertau Mittelfruh hops, and Washington Cluster hops.
- Pabst cited “continued increases in our costs to store and ship certain products” and volumes falling below minimum production thresholds as reasons for discontinuation.
Official Statements & Responses
Pabst’s Zac Nadile said the brand’s removal resulted from rising storage and shipping costs and that the decision was “a tough choice.” He added that any brand placed on hiatus remains “a cherished part of our history” and that Pabst will monitor customer feedback for possible future revival. Wisconsin Brewing Company’s Kirby Nelson emphasized the intent to honor Schlitz “with dignity and respect” by recreating a historic recipe for the final brew.
On-the-Ground Reactions
Joseph Conforti highlighted the brand’s nostalgic value, noting that “people from out of town are surprised that they still make it” and recalling Schlitz’s role after the Chicago fire. Local establishments, including Milwaukee Brat House, scheduled “Last Schlitz on Earth” parties on May 29-30, while Wisconsin Brewing Company planned a celebration at its Lake Louie location on June 27.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the brand’s age, citing both 175 and 177 years. The terminology also varies: some describe the action as “discontinuation,” while others refer to a “hiatus.” Details on the exact volume thresholds that triggered the decision are inconsistent, with one account mentioning minimum quantities required by a Budweiser plant, a claim not corroborated elsewhere.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Unfortunately, we have seen continued increases in our costs to store and ship certain products and have had to make the tough choice to place Schlitz Premium on hiatus,” — Zac Nadile, Pabst Brewing Co.
- “Any brand or packaging configuration that is put on hiatus is still a cherished part of our history and hopefully our future.” — Zac Nadile, Pabst Brewing Co.
- “We decided that, Schlitz being what Schlitz was, it deserved a proper sendoff. One with dignity and respect,” — Kirby Nelson, Wisconsin Brewing Company.
- “Schlitz was sent down on train cars to Chicago after the great Chicago fire,” — Joseph Conforti, Milwaukee Brat House.
- “Things change, but Schlitz deserves better than just to be swept under the rug,” — Kirby Nelson, Wisconsin Brewing Company.
What’s Next
Pabst indicated the brand could return if market conditions improve and consumer interest resurfaces. In the interim, the final batch will be available for pre-order, and multiple farewell events are scheduled in Milwaukee and at Wisconsin Brewing Company’s facilities throughout June 2026.
