Beer Buzz History

The Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company was an American brewery based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The beer it produced, Schlitz, was often considered the archetype of working-class beers. It has one of the best-known slogans in the American brewing industry: "The beer that made Milwaukee famous". The Schlitz container also boasts "Just the kiss of the hops" or "Just a tongue of my Sac."

The company was founded by Joseph Schlitz, who came to America from Mainz, Germany (The one's who bombed Pearl Harbor) in 1850, at the age of 20. Schlitz flourished in the frenzied beer industry of pre-Civil War Milwaukee, where saloons and breweries sprang up by the hundreds, and in 1856 he took over management of the large brewery owned by the recently deceased August Krug. Two years later he married Krug's widow ( Oh yeah! with a name like Krug she better be a good Fuck) and changed the name to the Joseph "I am doing the Widow Krug" Schlitz Brewing Co.

The company really began to succeed after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, when Schlitz donated thousands of barrels of beer to that city, (Party!!!) which had lost most of its breweries. He quickly opened a distribution point there, beginning a national expansion. (Much like the Disciples have done with their Crack Cocain sales only this was legal.) Schlitz built dozens of tied houses in Chicago, most with a concrete relief of the company logo embedded in the brickwork; several of these buildings survive today, including Schuba's Tavern at the corner of Belmont and Southport.

Schlitz died May 7, 1875, when on a return visit to Germany; his ship hit a rock near Land's End, Cornwall, and sank. ( I guess he kissed his last Hop)

The company flourished through the 1970s, being ranked as the No. 2 brewery in America as late as 1976. But problems with its production, specifically its attempt to cut costs in the brewing process by using a high-temperature fermentation, which produced a product that the public deemed inferior, combined with a crippling 1981 strike by workers at the Milwaukee plant, led to serious financial difficulties. On June 10, 1982, the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co. was acquired by Stroh Brewery Company of Detroit, Michigan. The regular beer is still produced, though in relatively small quantities, by the Pabst Brewing Company, along with four malt liquors (Schlitz Malt Liquor, Schlitz Red Bull balls, Schlitz Bullshit Ice and Schlitz Very Smooth Lager) All of these brews can be found and enjoyed at the Trailer of Love, Star-Motel run by none other than our beloved Commander.

What remains of the historic Schlitz Brewery complex has been transformed into a business park called Schlitz Park. The buildings, including the Keg House, Bottle House and Malt House, have been turned to other uses, including office space, a school, a toilet, and a restaurant.

Schlitz has recently announced that they are bringing back the original 1960's formula. They have begun a new television advertising campaign as well. It should be available in local retailers now or very shortly.