The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous Is Back

Schlitz Beer, It Made a City Famous\n\nIt was \”the beer that made Milwaukee famous.\”\n\nAnd it\’s back.\n\nPabst Brewing Co. began rolling out its original formula Schlitz beer on draft in several Midwest cities in mid-June. It will hit bars in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Milwaukee and Chicago in the next few weeks.\n\nSchlitz beer was, at one time, one of the most popular beers in America. The Schlitz brewery was founded by Joseph Schlitz, a German immigrant to Milwaukee, in 1850. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Schlitz donated thousands of barrels of beer to Chicago, which had lost most of its breweries. The brewery then expanded to Chicago and substantially increased distribution.\n\nBy the 1970s, the brewery was the second largest brewery in America (you can hear their claims as to demand in the commercial below) – but it didn\’t last long. A decade later, the company was on life support and was finally acquired by Stroh Brewery Company. In just a few years, under the Pabst Brewing Company umbrella, Schlitz had all but disappeared, distributed in cars and bottles in limited areas.\n\nUntil now.\n\nThe original formula Schlitz is making a comeback – on draft!\n\nYou can check out the brewery\’s take on the reintroduction here.\n\nBefore you rush off to grab yourself a Gusto, you have to watch this old commercial featuring Lionel Richie, his hair and the Commodores:\n\n\n\nAhh, nostalgia (not to mention that, in that ad, Lionel\’s hair is as large as daughter Nicole\’s entire body).\n\nPsst, if Schlitz isn\’t your favorite beer, let us know what is… Leave your comments on this prior post to win some great beer merch.\n\n(Image: AllPosters.com)