Founded in 1849 in Milwaukee, Schlitz Brewing Company holds a legendary place in local history.
"Schlitz was sent down on train cars to Chicago after the great Chicago fire," said Joseph Conforti, general manager of Milwaukee Brat House. "They didn't have clean drinking water, so they were drinking Schlitz beer."
Schlitz signs can still be seen at many Chicago dive bars.
The beer has been a source of pride for Milwaukee, with the brand often seen at local dives, restaurants, and the old brewery at Schlitz Park. Purchasing a pint of Schlitz has long been a way to honor a simpler time.
"It's a nostalgia factor," Conforti said. "People from out of town are surprised that they still make it. When we hosted the RNC (Republican National Convention) in Milwaukee, that was one of the top-selling products we had."
Schlitz is still on tap at Milwaukee Brat House downtown, but its availability is coming to an end.
"About two months ago, my sales guy let me know that we'd be losing the brand," Conforti said.
Pabst Brewing Company owns the brand and stopped brewing Schlitz months ago.
"Schlitz volume had dropped to the point where Pabst has a Busch plant in Texas do their brewing for them," said Kirby Nelson, brewmaster at Wisconsin Brewing Company. "The minimum quantities that Budweiser required, the brand fell way below that, so they had to retire it."
Wisconsin Brewing Company received permission from Pabst to brew Schlitz one last time.
"We decided that, Schlitz being what Schlitz was, it deserved a proper sendoff. One with dignity and respect," Nelson said.
Both Wisconsin Brewing Company and Milwaukee Brat House are planning farewell events for the beer later this month.
Milwaukee Brat House will host a "Last Schlitz on Earth" goodbye party at its Shorewood location on May 29 and at its downtown location on May 30, using the last of its supply.
Wisconsin Brewing Company will brew its final batch on May 23. A pre-order will be available starting that day online or in-person at the tap room. Nelson also plans to host a goodbye celebration at Wisconsin Brewing Company's Lake Louie location June 27.
ABC7 Chicago contributed to this report.
The-CNN-Wire & 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.