Brew City: The Story of Milwaukee Beer, presented by Miller Brewing Company, is the Milwaukee County Historical Society’s first permanent exhibit in years.
Detailing the history of brewing in Milwaukee County, the exhibit explores the local culture of beer and its evolution over time. Featuring artifacts, photographs, documents, and audio and visual media from the extensive MCHS Brewery Collection visitors will get to experience why Milwaukee truly is Brew City.
Collage of 1877 Brewers’ Convention
The United States Brewers’ Association met in Milwaukee June 5–8, 1877. It is believed this large-scale collage was made from a photograph taken of the attendees. A roughly annotated copy of that photo indicates some of the Milwaukee brewers who were in attendance.
Pabst employee Edwin Laabs pouring hops into wort in 1950.
A drawing of the Joseph Schlitz brewery in the early 1860s.
John Schwartz Saloon on the corner of today’s East Kane Place and North Pulaski Street.
Blatz experienced a brief boom in the mid-1940s, but ultimately could not keep up with the larger breweries in the United States.
Independent Brewing Company employees.
Schlitz Saturday Night theater choir.
Delivery wagons exiting Pabst.
How to see it
The exhibit is open Wednesday through Saturday, 9:30a – 5:00p.
We close early on select Saturdays, so we advise calling ahead.
For information call 414-273-8288
or email info@milwaukeehistory.net
This exhibition is made possible with generous support from:
Heritage Premiere Sponsor
Baron Sponsor
Brewmaster Sponsor