Undated photo of Schlitz items on display at the historical society include old bottles, cans and Schlitz advertising and promotional items. Schlitz Brewing Company, beer. Photo by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) – The Pabst Brewing Company announced on Tuesday evening that it is discontinuing one of its most historic products.
According to an article in Milwaukee Magazine, the company is ending production of Schlitz beer, a longtime favorite among Midwest beer drinkers for nearly two centuries, citing rising storage and shipping costs.
“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’s head of brand strategy, said in a statement to the outlet.
“Any brand or packaging configuration that is put on hiatus is still a cherished part of our history and hopefully our future. We continually look for opportunities to bring back beloved brands, and customer feedback is important in shaping those discussions,” Nadile continued.
Pabst acquired the Schlitz brand in 1999 from the Stroh Brewery Company, which purchased the original Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company in 1982. The beer was first brewed in Milwaukee in 1849.
Wisconsin Brewing Company announced intentions to brew “the last Schlitz” at its Verona, Wisconsin, brewery on May 23, with a restricted release set for June 27. Milwaukee-area restaurants and brewers are also preparing farewell celebrations to commemorate the final batches.
This announcement comes as beer consumption in the United States has fallen dramatically in recent years, with total beer and flavored malt beverage dollar sales falling 3.7% by 2025, according to NIQ data. When asked why customers are buying fewer alcoholic products, poll data reveals that more than half of Americans believe alcohol consumption is bad for their health, and more than 30% cite rising prices as the reason they’ve quit drinking.
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