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Last batch of Schlitz beer to be brewed in Verona, WI
Channel 3000 News ^ | May 16, 2026 | Kyle Jones

Posted on 05/16/2026 5:27:53 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin

VERONA, Wis. -- It's the end of an era for one of Wisconsin's most iconic beers.

Pabst Brewing Co. is no longer brewing Schlitz, the brew that played a huge role in cementing Milwaukee as America's Beer Capital. The last batch will be brewed, not by Pabst, but by Wisconsin Brewing Company in Verona.

WBC Brewmaster Kirby Nelson said he'll be basing this final batch on operations logs from 1948, when Schlitz was in its prime. The beer was America's top-seller in 1950.

"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," Nelson said. "This brew will represent The Golden Age of Schlitz."

First brewed in 1849, Schlitz became America's biggest beer producer in 1902 and held that title for decades. The urban legend goes that Schlitz offered to donate thousands of beer barrels to Chicago in the wake of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

A recipe change in the 1970s torpedoed the beer's popularity and Schlitz was eventually sold to Stroh in the 1980s. Pabst bought Stroh, and thus Schlitz, in 1999.

WBC will begin brewing the last batch on May 23. Nelson will hold a kickoff event at the brewery's Verona taproom at 12:30 p.m. Those interested in pre-ordering the beer can do so that same day.

The beer will make its debut at 5 p.m. on June 27, with a celebration at the Verona taproom that will include Schiltz on-tap, 4-packs and live music. Nelson will also give a talk at the event.


TOPICS: Food; History; Local News
KEYWORDS: beer; kirbynelson; milwaukee; pabst; schlitz; verona; wisconsin

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To: Biblebelter
Your right, it was Falstaff. I thought Dizzy was a pitcher and had to retire because he blew out his arm. But as you can see my memory is not what I thought it was, lol.
41 posted on 05/16/2026 9:21:46 AM PDT by Licensed-To-Carry (John 14:6 Romans 10:9 Hebrews 9:27)
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To: Licensed-To-Carry

He was a pitcher but he was also a good hitting pitcher which is why the comment was ridicule.

Ol’ Diz was saying I got paid to pitch but I can hit better than some of you guys that get paid to hit.


42 posted on 05/16/2026 9:55:39 AM PDT by Biblebelter
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

For some strange reason, Schlitz was the only beer that made me puke. None of the others did. Everytime I had Schlitz, I barfed. Finally figured it out and never had one again. And I never got sick on any others after that.


43 posted on 05/16/2026 10:01:40 AM PDT by dwg2
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I had no idea it was even still made....or that Pabst was still in business. I remember Schlitz from the 70s and early 80s.....remember all those Schlitz malt liquor Bull ads?.....I also remember Pabst Blue Ribbon.

They were both skunky beers and I haven’t seen either around in a long long time.


44 posted on 05/16/2026 10:03:25 AM PDT by FLT-bird
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To: V_TWIN

Growing up in Milwaukee, my Uncles were all cops or firemen, or they worked for either Miller or Pabst.

Sometimes at the same time, LOL!

I don’t remember Schlitz at any family gatherings.


45 posted on 05/16/2026 11:36:00 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Red Patriot in Blue California

“Schlitz, the beer that made Mel Famey walk us!” LOL! Loved that! Thanks! :)


46 posted on 05/16/2026 11:38:21 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: FRiends

47 posted on 05/16/2026 11:39:13 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: USS Alaska

“I started drinking Yuengling in the 70’s...”

Our Walmart just started carrying this. I’ve heard so many recommend it here that I’ll pick some up next time I get groceries.

I’m not a beer drinker, but a cold one IS nice after mowing the lawn or some intense weeding in the garden. ;)


48 posted on 05/16/2026 11:47:48 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Tom Tetroxide

I love that guy. :)


49 posted on 05/16/2026 11:48:35 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Didn’t even know it was still around!


50 posted on 05/16/2026 11:50:48 AM PDT by vpintheak (The left is violence.)
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To: DCPatriot

It’s Tough to Argue Over a Utica Club

Pour on the Iron (City Beer)

People who go for a (Nara)gansett, make sure there’s another one near

East Side, West Side, and Uptown and Down Rhinegold Extra Dry Beer is the beer of great renown

Need I go on?


51 posted on 05/16/2026 11:51:52 AM PDT by Jim Noble (Assez de mensonges et des phrases)
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To: HartleyMBaldwin

I loves me a Friday Night Dirty Martini or an Old Fashioned when we go out for fish.

I’m not as young as I used to be! We girls would hit a local Mexican restaurant after work for Happy Hour, Salsa and Chips and these HUGE Margaritas were our supper. Stayed until bar time, slept a few hours, went back to work on base, then did it all, all over again - unless one of us had a date. ;)

On Wednesday nights we’d stay in, watch ‘Magnum PI’ in the Day Room, share a bottle of Lambrusco and ‘do’ our nails, LOL! Good times. :)


52 posted on 05/16/2026 11:53:06 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: FRiends

53 posted on 05/16/2026 11:56:07 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Bob434

Don’t forget the Beast aka Milwaukee’s Best.

It was another cheap skunky beer.


54 posted on 05/16/2026 2:28:10 PM PDT by FLT-bird
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
"F___ THAT S___! PABST BLUE RIBBON!"


55 posted on 05/16/2026 2:30:56 PM PDT by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

If anyone has a chance to buy any of this last batch, you many need to buy, may become collector’s items!


56 posted on 05/16/2026 2:39:16 PM PDT by longhorn too
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To: FLT-bird

i never had that- just the regular mildew- times were tough $$ wise lol


57 posted on 05/16/2026 3:53:12 PM PDT by Bob434 (NYWAYS)
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