Pabst Brewing Company, known for its flagship Pabst Blue Ribbon beloved by hipsters, said the company will return to its birthplace of Milwaukee, WI to open a new brewery nearly 20 years after production moved away from its hometown.
The company says the new facility will be constructed on the site of the original Pabst Brewery that was founded in 1844. Pabst plans to sign a multi-year lease on a building within the Pabst brewery complex and expects to open the brewery to the public in the summer of 2016.
“The launch of this brewery in Pabst’s original home represents a long-awaited return to our roots,” said Eugene Kashper, chairman and CEO of Pabst who purchased the company last year. “Milwaukee is our home – the Pabst Mansion, the Pabst Theater, Pabst Farms, and this beautiful brewery complex – these are all part of Frederick Pabst’s amazing legacy, which we are honored to continue by returning to our hometown and birthplace.”
According to USA Today, the original Pabst brewery in Milwaukee shut down in 1996 when then owner S&P Co. contracted out production to Stroh Brewery in La Crosse, WI, ending 152 years of production in Milwaukee.
Pabst says the new brewery will serve as its hub for innovation and new product ideas. The facility will brew up many of Pabst’s iconic brands while crafting new beers inspired from the company’s archives. The new venue will offer visitors brewery tours, historical memorabilia, a tasting room, beer garden, and a restaurant/bar, which will serve food and feature exclusive small-batch brews only available on-site.
“Our brews will symbolize the historic progression of beer styles throughout our 171-year relationship with Milwaukee's beer lovers,” said Greg Deuhs, Pabst master brewer. “We are looking forward to partnering with local residents and businesses and engaging with this community that has been so supportive and loyal to us over the years.”
