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The short version

  • Pabst Brewing Company announced a hiatus for the Schlitz brand due to increasing expenses related to manufacturing and logistics.
  • Local establishments held farewell events throughout the summer, culminating in the tapping of what is believed to be the final barrel in Chicago.
  • The beer's legacy extends beyond consumption, having influenced local architecture through tied-house structures and artistic commissions at the 1893 World's Columbian Exhibition.

A long-standing chapter of Chicago’s beverage history concluded on a Wednesday afternoon when patrons at Glunz Tavern in the Old Town neighborhood consumed what is widely considered the city’s last barrel of Schlitz beer. The event, which took place just after five o’clock, marked the end of a 177-year presence for the brand in the metropolitan area. This final pour was not an isolated incident but rather the culmination of a summer-long series of tributes organized by local bars and restaurants to honor the beverage’s deep roots in the community.

The decision to halt distribution stems from an announcement made in May by Pabst Brewing Company, the entity currently responsible for brewing Schlitz. The company cited escalating costs associated with production and shipping as the primary drivers for placing the brand on hiatus. This economic pressure has forced a pause in operations for a label that has been a staple in Midwestern bars for generations, signaling a shift in the viability of legacy brands facing modern supply chain challenges.

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Bar owners across Chicago coordinated efforts to celebrate the beer’s departure, viewing it as a significant moment in local culture. Christopher Donovan, co-owner of Glunz Tavern, noted that the brewery had specifically secured the final stock for loyal customers who had supported the brand over the years. Other establishments, such as Electric Funeral Bar in Bridgeport, hosted similar events, with owners expressing surprise at the permanence of the change given how ubiquitous the beer has been throughout their lives.

Schlitz’s connection to Chicago dates back to the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Founded in Milwaukee in 1849 by August Krug and later renamed by Joseph Schlitz, the company saw its sales double in the region following the disaster. While some historical accounts suggest the company provided beer and drinking water to aid residents during the crisis, it is certain that the brand filled a void left by destroyed local breweries, establishing a strong foothold in the city’s recovery.

The brand’s influence extended into the realm of high culture and architecture during the 1893 World’s Columbian Exhibition. Schlitz invested approximately $20,000, equivalent to more than $740,000 today, in a pavilion within the Agricultural Building. The design, created by sculptor Richard W. Bock, featured a globe supported by female figures representing the hemispheres, flanked by beer kegs and heralds. Art historians note that this commission served as a genesis for motifs Bock would later use in collaborations with Frank Lloyd Wright, embedding Schlitz’s imagery into the broader artistic landscape of Chicago.

Beyond temporary exhibitions, Schlitz left a permanent mark on the city’s physical infrastructure through its tied-house system. Between 1897 and 1905, the company constructed 57 brewery-tied houses across Chicago. These establishments were supplied with all necessary materials to operate under the condition that they exclusively served Schlitz products. Although Prohibition and subsequent state laws rendered this model obsolete, 41 of these structures remain standing today.

Many of these surviving buildings have been designated as Chicago landmarks, with ten tied-houses and one brewery stable receiving official recognition. Some continue to operate as pubs or restaurants, serving as tangible reminders of the brand’s historical dominance. The architectural legacy ensures that even as the beer itself disappears from taps, its visual imprint remains woven into the fabric of various neighborhoods.

The final days of Schlitz in Chicago were marked by a mix of nostalgia and practicality among consumers. At Glunz Tavern, customers described strategies to ensure they could partake in multiple servings of the final barrel, highlighting the emotional weight attached to the brand’s departure. The hiatus represents more than just a business adjustment; it signals the end of an era for a product that has been intertwined with Chicago’s social and physical history for nearly two centuries.

As Pabst Brewing Company navigates the economic realities of modern brewing, the fate of Schlitz remains uncertain. The brand may return in the future if market conditions improve, but for now, its absence leaves a noticeable gap in the city’s bar culture. The events held throughout the summer serve as a collective acknowledgment of the brand’s role in shaping Chicago’s identity, from its post-fire recovery to its architectural development.

The cessation of Schlitz distribution underscores the vulnerability of historic brands in an increasingly costly industrial environment. While the beer is no longer available for purchase, its legacy persists in the landmarks that dot the city and the memories of those who grew up with it. The story of Schlitz in Chicago is a testament to how commercial enterprises can become deeply embedded in local history, leaving behind structures and stories that outlast their original purpose.

Sources behind this briefing

Go to the original reporting

  • Smithsonian Magazine↗Schlitz Beer, an Iconic Midwestern Pour, Runs Dry in Chicago After 177 Years. Its Legacy, However, Goes Far Beyond the Pint Glass