Your next beer could come from a nearly 200-year-old recipe

2024 marks the 189th celebration of Oktoberfest, which takes place in Munich, Germany. Oktoberfest, widely considered the world’s largest folk festival, has one thing that draws international pilgrims to the country: beer. Six million people are in attendance, and the beer and music flow freely. People attending the event can expect to spend between €13.60 and €15.30 (roughly $15.19 to $17.09). While there aren’t any beer-related events in the US that come close — although Oktoberfest is recreated, in smaller form, in cities across the US — that doesn’t stop our country from absolutely loving our beer. Americans drink an average of 26.5 gallons of beer per person annually, and everyone has brands they love.

In fact, Americans’ loyalty to beer has kept many brands alive for not just decades, but centuries. Because tastes vary, not all beer brands can survive. For example, Anchor beer, once of America the oldest craft beer brandwas founded in 1896. This California craft beer staple was challenged when the company suffered through a decades-long recession. After its purchase in 1965 by the great-grandson of the Maytag corporation, the company was saved from bankruptcy and remained one of the last steam brewing companies. After its acquisition in 2010 and another change of ownership in 2017, Sapporo Breweries tried to revitalize the brand – but failed. Declining revenue led to liquidation in 2023. Chobani’s CEO purchased the assets earlier this year, but Anchor’s future is unknown. However, many other brands survived despite the change in ownership. To identify America’s oldest beer brands and breweries, 24/7 Wall St. explored the data from Vine Pair, The Drinks Business and Thrillist. Breweries are listed in descending order. Read on to see if you’re surprised by the beer on this list. (Check out these classic images of American taverns, bars, and saloons through the years.)

Why you need to hear about beer

Beer is one of the most popular beverages in America.

The beer market is estimated to contribute approximately $409 billion to the US economy annually. It generates only about $111 billion in revenue, which is expected to grow to $145 billion by 2027. That means a lot of jobs and good news for beer stocks, two topics that are very relevant to the 24/7 Wall St. audience.

12. Coors Brewing Company

Coors is one of the oldest and most popular beer brands.

• Year of establishment: 1873
• The most famous beer: Coors Lite

Founded in 1873, Coors Brewing Company has since merged with Molson, Inc. to become one of the biggest beer brands in the world. In addition, the original Coors location in Golden, Colorado is the largest brewing facility on the planet. When German immigrants Adolph Coors and Jacob Schueler came from what was then Prussia, they set up a brewery and bought a Pilsner-style beer recipe. The rest, as they say, is history, as Coors is the third largest brewer in the United States.

11. Straub Brewery

Straub Brewery remains one of America’s oldest family-owned brands.

• Year of establishment: 1872
• The most famous beer: Straub American Lager

One of the oldest breweries still operating in America, Straub Brewery is a must-see for any beer enthusiast. Originally founded in 1867 by Peter Straub, who came from Germany, Straub is the third oldest family-owned brewery in the United States. The Straub family still operates and oversees the entire company, which survived Prohibition. It was the smallest brewery to do so, which is quite an achievement. Today, Straub is one of the last beer brands to sell 16-ounce glass bottles, better known as “pounders.”

10. Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

Jacob Leinenkugel has finally started shipping to all 50 states.

• Year of establishment: 1867
• The most famous beer: Leinenkugel Original Lager

Founded by namesake Jacob Leinenkugel, this brewing company was originally conceived solely as a Midwestern distribution effort. Originally opened in 1867, the brand has since gone national, shipping to all 50 states. Leinenkugel is now a subsidiary of Molson Coors. The brewery is highly regarded for its lagers and beer, as well as for the original recipe that Leingenkugel brought with him from Germany. The formula was so good that it once accounted for over 90% of the company’s output for many years.

9. Frankenmuth Brewery

Frankenmuth Brewery is one of the best in Michigan.

• Year of establishment: 1862
• The most famous beer: Frankenmuth Hefeweizen

Both a brewery and a restaurant, Frankenmuth Brewery is one of the oldest of its kind in Michigan. Founded in 1862, it has seen some ups and downs. At its peak in 1966, under the ownership of Randall Heine, the company sold over 30,000 barrels in 25 separate states. However, a tornado destroyed much of the brewery that same year, closing the company until 2003. Unfortunately, it closed as quickly as it reopened in 2003 due to financial difficulties. However, the Frankenmuth brewery was purchased in 2009 and reopened. Beer lovers, rejoice!

8. August Schell Brewing Company

August Schell is the second oldest private brewery.

• Year of establishment: 1860
• The most famous beer: Pils

Considered the second oldest family-owned brewery in America, August Schell Brewing Company was founded in 1860. It is believed to produce approximately 145,000 barrels of beer per year and remains a private label, originally founded by August Schell after he immigrated to the US in 1848. with Maifest, Schmaltz’s Alt, Pils and other beers, August Schell continues to operate from the same brewery building that survived several world wars and prohibition.

7. Stevens Point Brewery

Stevens Point Brewery is famous for its lagers.

• Year of establishment: 1857
• The most famous beer: Point Special Lager

Founded in 1857 by Frank Wahle and George Ruder, Stevens Point Brewery will forever be known for supplying beer to the troops fighting in the American Civil War. After the company was sold in 1867, the new Lutz family ran it before it was sold again in 1897. As with many of the companies on this list, ownership changed several times, but the brewery remains in private hands. Stevens Point Brewery remains the third oldest private brewery in the United States.

6. Miller Brewing Company

Miller Lite is one of the most famous beers in the world.

• Year of establishment: 1855
• The most famous beer: Miller Lite

A rival to Anheuser-Busch, Miller Brewing Company is one of the best-known brands in the beer world. Founded in 1855, the company remained around the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area for over a century and a half before being acquired by Molson Coors in 2016. Brands such as Miller Lite, Miller High Life, Miller Genuine Draft, Milwaukee’s Best, Olde English 800 and Miller Chill are just a few of the brands Miller Brewing Company produces annually.

5. Anheuser-Busch

Budweiser may be the most recognizable beer in the world.

• Year of establishment: 1852
• The most famous beer: Budweiser

Anheuser-Busch is a brand that needs very little introduction. This staple from St. Louis, Missouri has a market share of approximately 45% of the entire US brand market. Operating 12 breweries nationwide, Anheuser-Busch produces Budweiser, Bud Light, Natural Light, Busch, Michelob and more. Since its founding in 1852 by George Schneider, the company now employs over 19,000 people. The company even operates ten theme parks (Busch Gardens) through Busch Entertainment Corporation.

4. Minhas Craft Brewery

Minhas Boxer Lager is famous for its taste.

• Year of establishment: 1845
• The most famous beer: Boxer Lager

Located in Monroe, Wisconsin, Minhas Craft Brewery is the oldest brewery in the Midwest and the fourth oldest in the US. Currently listed as the 18th largest brewery in the country, Minhas is proud of its survival. The company endured through the Great Depression, Prohibition, fires and numerous other challenges. Owned by the Minhas brothers, the company generates annual revenue of approximately $155 million. Part of that revenue comes from shipping beer to 16 other countries, including Brazil, China, England, Japan, Mexico, Norway and Panama.

3. Pabst Brewing Company

Pabst is another of the most recognizable beer names.

• Year of establishment: 1844
• The most famous beer: Pabst Blue Ribbon

Founded by Jacob Best and his sons as Empire Brewery, Pabst Brewing Company produced over 300 barrels of “Best Select” beer in its first year. By 1960, Philip Best took over the brewery and renamed it the Philip Best Company. It was only a few years before Frederick Pabst invested in the company and changed its name. By the 1870s, the Philips Brewing Company was the second largest brewery in the United States. It later changed its name to Pabst Brewing Company in 1890. While ownership has changed hands again over the years, the brewery remains committed to its founder’s vision. This remains one of the most famous beer brands today.

2. Schaefer Brewing Company

Schaefer Brewing Company is the second oldest beer brand in the US.

• Year of establishment: 1842
• The most famous beer: Schaefer beer

Second on the list of oldest beer companies is F & M Schaefer Brewing Company. Founded in 1842, the company, now owned by Pabst, can lay claim to being America’s oldest lager. After moving to Brooklyn in the early 20th century, Schaefar enjoyed success, where it was the fifth best-selling beer in America. Unfortunately, Schaefer was overtaken by the big brands until Pabst absorbed it in 1999.

1. Yuengling

• Year of establishment: 1829
• The most famous beer: Yuengling Lager

Outside of Anchor, America’s oldest beer comes from the Yuengling Brewing Company. David G. Yuengling founded the company in Pottsville, Pennsylvania in 1829 as Eagle Brewin. Clearly, the company later changed its name. A fun fact about Yuengling is that in order to survive Prohibition, the company switched to making ice cream. Fortunately, the company returned to brewing after Prohibition ended and has been using the same brewery since 1831. Therefore, the beer remains both delicious and consistent.

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