Posted on 05/12/2026 1:28:40 PM PDT by OldCountryBoy
Abe Vucekovich, the owner of the Chicago cocktail bar Friends of Friends, got a call a couple months ago. It concerned Schlitz beer.
This was a matter of some import to Vucekovich, because Friends of Friends is situated in what used to be a Schlitz tied house. There is a large Schlitz globe insignia on the side of the building. Because of this, Vucekovich decided to serve Schlitz beer on tap. To advertise this fact, he bought an old neon sign from a neighboring bar called Danny’s. It says “Schlitz on Tap” in bright red neon.
But the call Vucekovich fielded told him that Schlitz, which was purchased by Pabst in 1999, would no longer be made in cans and kegs. The brass had decided to just put it out in bottles. So much for “Schlitz on Tap.”
But that wasn’t all. Recently, the new CEO decided to stop making Schlitz altogether. Sales had been declining for some time, and there was never a huge demand outside of Milwaukee and Chicago...
… Faced with a world without Schlitz, we drove to our local liquor store, Ray’s, to stock up for the summer. We bought a case of bottles, and one can of Pabst, so we could make a Schlabst. And then we drove to Wolski’s and ordered two Schlitz drafts.
This may be your last chance to go for the gusto.
(Excerpt) Read more at themilwaukeemix.substack.com ...
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Also, a Wolski’s ping! We always take out-of-towners or international travelers to Wolski’s. Great Milwaukee bar. Man, do I have stories, and the bumper sticker. Always make sure to get the bumper sticker for our visitors!
Lot of Schlitz back in the late 60s and early 70s.
When I was in Milwaukee a few years ago none of the bars or beverage stores I tried had heard of Schlitz.
When I check the only major outlet was LA. I’ve also read that the original recipe was lost.
My dad always said, “Schlitz gives you sh...”
I don’t recall ever drinking it.
At least Chicago still has ‘Old Style’ and Baltimore has ‘National Bohemian’ (aka ‘Nattie Bo’).
Older male relatives would occasionally drink Schlitz. It was a rare thing, but I remember it.
So, your full of Schlitz?...........🤗😏
Schlitz was the first beer I ever tasted, I was six years old!.........
I had an uncle who seemed to always have a Stroh’s in hand. He lived to 96.
My beer is Rheingold, the dry beer...
There’s always Blatz.
I had a Step dad that smoked a pack of cigs every day and drank 4-5 beers every night when he came home. He lived to be 67.
When you’re out of Schlitz, you’re out of beer.
The story says the original recipe was lost. Not doubting you, just thought that was interesting.
I remember a lot of folks drinking Schlitz back in the day. It seemed like it was everywhere. Cans though. Safer to toss out the window while driving.
My Okie dad...here in CA, always drank Schlitz.
Then something changed he didn’t like and he switched to Coors. Not light.
“When you’re out of Schlitz’ you’re out of beer.”
Actually true because everyone will avoid it until there’s absolutely nothing else to drink.
My grandfather drank it. This was the early seventies while watching the Phillies.
“ I’ve also read that the original recipe was lost.”
I did a very little digging, and learned that the recipe was, in fact, recreated, using brewing records that had survived. That might have occurred closer to 2000.
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