NewsUS NewsBeerThe iconic American beer brand will disappear from supermarket shelves next month after 177 years as it is being put 'on hiatus', the last batch is due to be brewed on May 2302:43, 21 May 2026An iconic American beer is set to disappear from supermarket shelves after 177 years.‌The beer brand, once among the largest breweries in the country, is being discontinued.‌Schlitz Premium, with its roots to Milwaukee in the 1840s, is being put “on hiatus,” as Wisconsin Brewing Company announced the final batch would be brewed this month.‌“Unfortunately, we have seen continued increases in our costs to store and ship certain products and have had to make the tough choice to place Schlitz Premium on hiatus,” Zac Nadile, Pabst head of brand strategy, said in a statement to Milwaukee Magazine.“Any brand or packaging configuration that is put on hiatus is still a cherished part of our history and hopefully our future. We continually look for opportunities to bring back beloved brands, and customer feedback is important in shaping those discussions.”The brand became well known for its slogan, “the beer that made Milwaukee famous,” and was the nation's largest brewery until the late 1950s.‌It was originally founded in 1849 after August Krug opened a tavern brewery in Milwaukee. Joseph Schlitz then took over the business after marrying Krug’s widow, transforming it into one of the biggest beer brands.The brewery shipped beer to Chigago residents after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, when they struggled to have access to clean drinking water, helping the brand grow in prominence.‌Joseph Conforti, general manager of Milwaukee Brat House said: “It’s a nostalgia factor. People from out of town are surprised that they still make it.”A cost-cutting recipe in the 1970s meant that the beer started losing popularity. The brand was sold to Stroh Brewing in 1982 before Pabst acquired it in 1999.Brewmaster at Wisconsin Brewing Company, Kirby Nelson, said that the company wanted the historic beer to have a 'proper farewell'.Article continues belowHe said: “We decided that, Schlitz being what Schlitz was, it deserved a proper sendoff. One with dignity and respect."After the last beer is brewed on May 23, there will be a limited release scheduled for June 27.Milwaukee-area bars and breweries are also planning farewell events linked to the final batches.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Chicago FireSupermarketsBeer