Unless you live under a rock, you’ve heard by now that Miller Brewing Co. and Coors Brewing Co. have announced their intention to create a joint venture that will be known as MillerCoors. The news made me think about our hometown beers and brewery beginnings.
When I think of hometown brews, the first brewer to come to mind is Miller Brewing Co.
Miller produces some of the tried-and-true standbys we all know and love (like Miller Lite, High Life and Miller Genuine Draft), and I’m a big fan of this past summer’s new release, Miller Chill.
But Miller wasn’t the first. Pabst and Schlitz are also a part of Milwaukee’s beer beginnings.
The first brewery to open in our corner of the state was Pabst, which enjoyed 153 years of business here in Milwaukee, closing its doors in 1997.
Schlitz, or “The Beer that Made Milwaukee Famous” also comes to mind as a hometown brew. Schlitz immediately donated thousands of barrels of beer to Chicago after the Great Fire of 1871, which earned the brewery the ‘famous’ slogan.
Thanks to Miller Brewing Co., we can still consider Pabst, Schlitz and their many beers hometown favorites, since they are now brewed at the Miller plant.
The best way I can think of to celebrate our Brew City past, present and future is by throwing a hometown beer-themed party. Not only are Milwaukee’s beers famous world-wide, they are also very drinkable and tasty. They make for a great celebration of Milwaukee’s food and beer heritage.
Ask each of your attending friends to bring a different hometown beer, whether it be Miller or a beer that reminds them of their hometown. But don’t forget the newest members of our family and make sure someone grabs some Coors Banquet, Coors Light, Molson and Blue Moon. The party will also give you a chance to enjoy some of the food we’re known for like Usinger’s or Klement’s sausage, bratwurst and hotdogs, cheese from West Allis Cheese or the bevy of barbeque options from Saz’s. Be proud of your hometown!
