HISTORY1860 1870 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 1990 2000 August Schell August Schell was born in 1828 in Durbach, Germany, located in the heart of the famous German "Schwarzwald," otherwise known as the Black Forest region. August received an early education as a machinist/engineer but after a short time, became intrigued by the opportunities overseas. In 1848, August bid farewell to his mother and father, leaving his homeland in search of success in the United States. August arrived in New Orleans and continued up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers to Cincinnati where he worked as a machinist in a locomotive factory. It was here that he met the love of his life, Theresa Hermann. Theresa, also a German immigrant, and August wed in 1853. In 1856, August, Theresa and their two baby daughters headed to Minnesota along with a group of fellow Germans known as the Cincinnati Turner Society. The Turner Society had heard from a group of German settlers in Southern Minnesota that their settlement was struggling to succeed. The two groups merged and formed the town of New Ulm. Once in New Ulm, August found a job as a machinist in a flour mill. But as the years passed, August realized that good German beer was difficult to find in such a small, rural area. In the fall of 1860, August partnered up with Jacob Bernhardt, a former brewmaster at the Benzberg Brewery in St. Paul, MN (what today was known as the Minnesota Brewing Company). They erected a small brewery just two miles from town along the banks of the Cottonwood River. During their first year of operation they produced 200 barrels of beer, a very small amount based on today’s standards. The location of the brewery was ideal. Aside from the beauty of its natural surroundings (August was especially fond of his hikes into the woods), the brewery was located next to an artesian spring, providing exceptionally pure water for brewing. Its proximity to the Cottonwood River gave the brewery a means of transporting beer and supplies, and the river also became essential to the refrigeration process. Each winter, large blocks of ice would be harvested and hauled up the hill where they would be stored in underground caves. The ice would keep the caves cool throughout the spring and early summer in order to allow proper aging and fermentation of the beer. But along with the rewards also came the risks. New Ulm, as many settlers back then realized, was located in the heart of Dakota Indian country. In the early days of the brewery, many of the Dakota Sioux Tribe visited the brewery where Mrs. Schell often provided them with food. This goodwill proved to be a blessing for the brewery. In 1862, southern Minnesota was the focal point of the "Sioux Uprising," otherwise known as the "Dakota Conflict." While buildings were burned and ransacked in New Ulm and other towns in the region, the brewery remained untouched due to the kindness of the Schell family.

Bell's Brewery, Inc. formerly Kalamazoo Brewing Company, founded by Larry Bell as a home-brewing supply shop in 1983, sold its first beer in 1985. Originally brewing in a 15-gallon soup kettle, the company has grown remarkably from its production of 135 barrels (1 bbl = 31 gal.) in 1986 to over 90,000 barrels in 2007. Bell's Brewery has grown from a tiny operation renting part of a former plumbing supply warehouse to a bustling, regional craft brewery. Over twenty years of brewing, Bell's Brewery has built a nationwide reputation as a creative and talented brewery, playing a significant role in changing the beerscape of the nation. Although the "microbrewery" revolution began on the West Coast in the 1970s, the Midwest saw this brewing development much later. Bell's Brewery stands as the oldest craft-brewer east of Boulder, Colorado. Originally self-distributed, Larry and crew brewed, bottled and delivered all of the beer to market for the company's first four years. By 1989, Bell's was shipping over 500 barrels annually and assigned its first wholesaler to further establish itself across the State of Michigan. After struggling several years to produce and sell robust, full-bodied ales against a tide of a mass-market domestic beer, Bell's began to see the demand for craft beer grow dramatically. Bell's soon ventured outside Michigan, continuing its solid growth and developing a reputation across the Midwest for the unique style and flavor of its Bell's brands. The brewery currently sells its beer across a fifteen-state area, through a network of over fifty quality wholesalers. In 2003, Bell's proudly opened a new production brewery in nearby Comstock, Michigan. The new brewery has now seen three major additions and encompasses 60,000 square feet of building on a 24 acre site The Quality Assurance department has thrived in the new facilities, implementing procedures and techniques that assure that Bell's is consistently putting out the very best beer possible. Total brewing capacity now stands at 140,000 bbls. At the Kalamazoo Avenue location, an historical rehabilitation has brought about a pleasant architectural change to the city landscape. Our ongoing goal is to brew thoughtfully, creatively and artistically. We strive to bring an authentic and pleasant experience to all of our customers through our unique ales and beers. We look forward to sharing our beers with you.

Capital Brewery was founded on March 14, 1984. Located in a former egg processing plant building, Capital Brewery produced its first brew in the spring of 1986.

Brewing since 1998. The Central Waters Brewing Company is built on the solid reputation of producing the finest quality beers in Central Wisconsin: Ouisconsing Red, Happy Heron Pale Ale, Mudpuppy Porter, and many more. Central Waters Brewery has recently relocated to Amherst, Wisconsin in January of 2007. The new 7,500-square foot facility allows the Brew-Crew to supply the increasing demand for their beer. Central Waters Brewing Company has expanded its product line to include eighteen beer styles and services over 200 retail locations in Central Wisconsin.

Cold Spring Brewery, the largest brewery in Minnesota, is a leader in making and selling high quality beer and non-alcoholic beverages. By combining the pure spring water of Cold Spring with its original recipes, Cold Spring produces hundreds of beverages for national and international companies. Cold Spring ’s head brewmaster is a top award winner in national brewing competitions. Cold Spring is the #1 energy drink and specialty drink producer in the country and the #1 producer of exclusive beer and craft beer brands for major retailers in the United States and other companies throughout the world.

Welcome to Furthermore. What's In Our Name? The Future. That Which Is Left Unsaid (not a whole hell of a lot when Aran and Chris are in the room.) The Next Beer....

Distributor in Western Wisconsin.

When the first Goose Island Brewpub opened its doors in 1988, domestic, mass-produced beer was deeply ingrained in Midwestern culture. The craft beer industry was still in its infancy, with only a handful of brewpubs in existence in the Midwest. In his travels across Europe, beer-lover John Hall had enjoyed a distinctive local brew in each region he visited. Hall was convinced that Midwesterners could produce beers as good or better than those he’d tasted in his travels. Living on the shore of the largest system of fresh water on the planet Earth, in a city with rapidly evolving tastes – John decided that his hometown, Chicago, would be the ideal place to do just that. The key to building interest in craft beer, Hall decided, was to allow consumers to watch the brewing process – while providing them with the then-novel experience of enjoying a wide variety of distinctive beers that had been produced on-site. Hall wanted to not only cater to his customers’ tastes, but to challenge them as well. Goose Island’s brewers set to work crafting a diverse selection of unique beers – and on Friday, May 13, 1988 the Goose Island Brewpub was born.

In 1856, Joshua C. Gray an Irish immigrant, started a brewing business in Janesville, Wisconsin based on the simple principle of making the very best tasting ales and soft drinks possible. To accomplish this he knew he had to create the best recipes, use only the finest ingredients available, and brew with craftsmen who really care. Over 150 years and five generations later, the Gray family continues this tradition of offering only the very best in hand-crafted beers and soft drinks. A tradition that has proudly made the Gray Brewing Company one of the oldest family-owned beverage company in the nation. Today the Gray Brewing Company remains deeply committed to the same enduring principles on which Joshua C. Gray founded the business over a century ago. After all that time, the secret to Gray’s success has remained the same. DRINK ONLY THE BEST!

Welcome to Horny Goat Brewing Company. Home to the talk-of-the-town, Wisconsin craft brewed beers: Horny Goat Belgian Wheat, Hopped Up 'N Horny and Exposed. Enjoy our website and be sure to stop on back. Get Horny and enjoy.

Set in the heart of the Midwest, the Hub City Brewing Company is located five miles east of the historic town of Oelwein, Iowa. Founded in 1872 on a plot of land nestled amongst the fields, the city served as a hub for three major branches of the Chicago Great Western Railway, earning it the nickname of "Hub City" during the heyday of the railroad. Our beers pay homage to this historic Iowa town and the romantic era of the iron horse. We are brewing six different styles of craft beer at the present time with seasonal brews and one more to be introduced at a later date. The styles include an Oatmeal Stout, Brown Porter, Brown Ale, Amber Ale, German Hefeweizen Wheat, and Golden Ale. They are sold in 12 ounce heritage bottles by the six-pack or case, and also in half or sixth barrel kegs.

The LAGERS are a group of like-minded beer loving individuals who find that adding barley, hops and yeast to water makes it taste better. Our club of home brewers range in experience, but all share the same passion. Many of our members have earned medals at homebrew competitions. One has joined the ranks of professional brewers. Give our brews a try, and see just how good beer from the "kitchen" can taste. Some of the beers we'll have on tap...1492: an IPA named for its heavy use of Columbus hops. Big hop nose but not overly bitter. Double Dry Hopped Darkness: ample late hop additions on a malt backbone. Post-Prohibition Bock: the drink of your fathers (and mothers!). Oatmeal Raisin Stout: a strong malt "presence" with subtle raisin flavors; dark but smooth. Destroyer of Senses IPA: a bold brew with light malt sweetness and filled with hop flavor and aroma. Uses simcoe and amarillo hops.

Milwaukee’s own Lakefront Brewery Inc. started in 1987. The industrious and inventive microbrewery located on the Milwaukee River has become a Milwaukee landmark. Its rich history includes partnerships with local taverns, preservation of local historical pieces, unique tours, family style dining options and most importantly, great beer.

Lift Bridge Beer Company was established recently by a group of Stillwater guys dedicated to creating well-balanced beers that will help you slow down, relax, and appreciate life. Currently brewing at Flat Earth Brewing Co. in St. Paul, we hope to open the doors of our Stillwater brewery in the summer of ’09. To find out more, talk to a crew member or check out www.liftbridgebeer.com , and remember to drink your beer with pride.

Mantorville Brewing Company is located in historic Mantorville, Minnesota. Visit us for a taste of the old days in this old-time setting. Tours available by appointment only.

Milwaukee Brewing Company, the brewers of Louie's Demise, Flaming Damsel and Pull Chain Pail Ale was founded by Jim McCabe in 1997.

Welcome to our quaint little brewery nestled on the outskirts of New Glarus, Wisconsin. The brewery is run by an enthusiastic couple, Daniel & Deb Carey, who have successfully combined business management and brewing professionalism. Our philosophy is based on individuality, cooperation and the employment of 100% natural ingredients to produce world -class, handcrafted beers for our friends in Wisconsin. Cheers!

Why cans? We thought the idea of our bold, hoppy pale ale squeezed into a little can was hilarious. It made us laugh for weeks. But then we discovered that the belief that cans impart flavor to beer is a myth. The modern-day aluminum can and its lid are lined with a water-based coating, so the beer and the can never touch. Cans, we discovered, are actually good for beer. Cans keep beer especially fresh by fully protecting it from light and oxygen. Our cans also hold extremely low amounts of dissolved oxygen, so our beer stays especially fresh for longer. Cans are also easier to recycle and less fuel-consuming to ship. Better still, cans make it easier for beer fiends to enjoy great beer outdoors, where a fine brew is especially satisfying. Our cans also give us big pleasure when we hand somebody the first canned beer that ever put goosebumps on their back.

We started our little brewery in downtown La Crosse on Pearl Street in a basement with a tiny seven-barrel subterranean brewhouse. Over time, we developed a tradition of brewing carefully hand-crafted award-winning ales and lagers. Since then, we’ve grown into a larger 30 barrel brewery and moved up to the North side in the historic La Crosse Footwear building on Saint Andrew Street. NOTE: In addition to the brews we have listed, we will also feature a special tapping of our Dankenstein IIPA at 4:00 PM during the Fest!

All Pig's Eye Brewing Company products are brewed using the finest quality ingredients - pristine water, choice hops and barley malts. Our brewmaster carefully monitors every stage of the brewing and packaging process to ensure that each can, bottle or glass of Pig's Eye Pilsner, Pig's Eye Lean Light, Pig's Eye Ice & Pit Bull High Gravity Ice Malt Liquor meets his strict quality standards.

Founded in 1852 by Gabriel Hail and John Albrecht, the Potosi Brewery began as a small brewery quenching the thirsts of area farmers, fishermen and miners. In 1886 Adam Schumacher bought the brewery and started brewing beer. In 1906, the Potosi Brewing Company was founded by Adam and his brothers Nicholas and Henry. At its peak, the Potosi Brewery had grown to be the fifth largest in Wisconsin, shipping a variety of labels including Good Old Potosi, Holiday, Garten Brau, Augsburger and others to destinations throughout the United States. In 1972 the brewery ceased operations and closed its doors. The restoration of the Potosi Brewery began in 1995 when Gary David bought the ruined Potosi Brewery Bottling buildings. This nearly one square block of buildings had just suffered a major fire and most of the buildings were a total loss. After working three years to rebuild parts of what had been destroyed, Gary then turned his attention to the Brewery itself. Being awarded the high bid at the county auction he then enlisted the help of his friend Rick Tobin and cousin Denis David. It was the marketing genius of Denis and his wife Madonna in 1999 that brought the public on board through a community meeting. This meeting was overwhelmingly attended by the public and brought forth numerous suggestions as well as additional support. It was this gathering of the public that led to the formation of the Potosi Brewery Foundation in February of 2000. In 2004, with restoration underway, the Potosi Brewery Foundation was selected by the American Breweriana Association to be the home to its national museum. According to Len Chylack, president of the American Breweriana Association, Potosi was selected over cities such as Milwaukee and St. Louis because of their passion for beer, brewery history and beer-making culture. The National Brewery Museum is a world-class facility dedicated to preserving the artifacts and memories of America's breweries.

We brew three full time beers, and plan to add several seasonals as our whim dictates. Our ales are only offered on draft in 1/2 barrel and 1/6 barrel sankey kegs. We fervently hope to add bottles before the new year. All of our beers are unfiltered and unpasteurized meaning they are a fresh product whose flavor will develop over time.

Michelob distributor in Sparta, Wisconsin.

MAKERS OF WISCONSIN'S FINEST ALES AND LAGERS Welcome to the Sand Creek Brewing Co., home of award-winning microbrews available throughout Wisconsin. Check out where to find our products at an outlet near you, see all our fine varieties, or stop by for a tour! varieties, or stop by for a tour! The brewery. A LEGACY OF GREAT WISCONSIN BREWING We're located in west central Wisconsin, just a short distance from the river in beautiful Black River country. Our historic brewery building was built in 1856 and was home to one of the area's first breweries right up until Prohibition in 1920.

Sprecher Brewing Co. was founded in 1985 by RANDAL SPRECHER, formerly a brewing supervisor at Pabst Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. From 1985 to 1994, the brewery was located at 730 W. Oregon Street in Milwaukee's Walker's Point area. Through the first ten years the company grew steadily as more and more people found out about Sprecher's high quality beers and sodas. Finally, the company had outgrown its original facility and began looking for a new location to continue its growth. In 1994, Sprecher purchased its current building, located at 701 W. Glendale Ave., a former elevator car factory. The new, larger brewery enabled the company to continue growing, and allowed more people to enjoy all of Sprecher's fine products. The history of brewing in Wisconsin began thirteen years before it became a state and a year before it even became a territory. By the late 1890's nearly every community in Wisconsin had at least one operating brewery. In the 1880's Milwaukee was the home of more than 80 breweries. 100 years later, the number of operating breweries in the area can today be counted on one hand, and only one can still be considered a giant. In 1919 the passage of Prohibition virtually sounded the death toll for all but the most diverse breweries. A few struggled through by producing near beer (.05 alcoholic content or less), soft drinks and even vinegar. Beer making didn't resume until 1933, when the 18th Amendment was repealed. But even then, people were still reeling from the effects of the Great Depression, which of itself had devastated both the coffers and hopes of many of the earlier breweries. Like the biggest selling wines, many mass market beers are made to appeal to as broad of an audience as possible. This means they have to be produced at a highly competitive price and that they must offend no one. Much of the distinctive qualities of the traditional regional type brews is lost. Sprecher and other micro-breweries have revived both the distinctive quality of regional beer and old world brewing methods as well. The term "Micro-Brewery" refers to the relative size of the brewery when compared to gigantic beer production facilities of mass marketed national brands. Where these "Mega-Giants" produce from 20 million on up to 90 million barrels a year each, a "Micro-Brewery" is a considerably small operation, brewing less than 15,000 barrels a year. Although some have grown to 50,000 to 100,000 barrels a year. Quite a difference when you consider a barrel is equivalent to 31 gallons. In that respect, the smaller Micro-Breweries such as Sprecher can focus more on its specialty "Craft Beers" with an eye on the highest quality and tradition of European style brewing. At the Sprecher Brewing Co. we are proud to participate in Milwaukee's great brewing tradition and we're grateful for the opportunity to present our best to you.

Established in 1986.

The most Award Winning Wisconsin Brew Pub in 2007 The Grumpy Troll won 10 Awards for Brewing Excellence in 2007 and 2008!

The legend of Tyranena (pronounced Tie·rah·nee·nah) began long ago, in a time before history was written. Legend tells of a foreign tribe that built a series of stone structures and effigy mounds on the edge of a lake they called Tyranena. Today, these structures lie preserved deep under the waters of Rock Lake. No one knows for sure who built them, the purposes they served, how and why they are now submerged, or even the meaning of the word Tyranena. We invite you to develop your own theories while enjoying one of the new legends of Tyranena, the Legendary Wisconsin Beers of the Tyranena Brewing Company. Ask for a Legendary Wisconsin Beer where you drink.

Viking Brewing Company, established in 1994, was the first microbrewery in Northwest Wisconsin. Viking brought back that time-honored tradition of a local, family run brewery that takes pride in brewing unique and outstanding beers; over 22 different styles.