Milwaukee is often referred to as “Brew City” for good reason. The city boasts a rich brewing history that’s virtually unmatched anywhere else in the nation (or on the planet, for that matter). The city continually produces a veritable ocean of beer each year, and our collective populace does its part to drink it dry any chance we get. Though Milwaukee still deserves its nickname, the city and its surrounding suburbs have also experienced a great deal of loss through the years.
Sometimes a brewery being acquired and having its operations moved elsewhere is to blame. Other times, a brand simply shutters. What follows is an incomplete and not at all comprehensive list of some breweries Milwaukee has said goodbye to in the last 100-plus years. As we pour one out for many of these once-beloved beer producers, we encourage you to support local breweries to help prevent this list from growing any longer.
1840 Brewing Company
City Lights Brewing
Company Brewing
District 14 Brewery & Pub
Stock House Brewing Co. (Wauwatosa)
Schlitz Brewing Company
Brenner Brewing Company
Enlightened Brewing Co.
Stonefly Brewery
Onopa Brewing
Pabst Brewing Company
Pabst Milwaukee Brewery & Taproom
Tornado Brewing Company (Cudahy then Menomonee Falls)
Independent Milwaukee Brewery
Good City Brewing
Like Minds Brewing
Big Bay Brewing (Shorewood)
Blatz Brewing Company
Milwaukee Brewing Company (brand acquired by Eagle Park)
Horny Goat Brewing
Westallion Brewing Company (West Allis)
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