First brewery to reach over 1 million barrels sold per year
The majority of beer consumed in the United States before the American Civil War was locally brewed, served on tap, and consumed in neighborhood taverns and bars. Depending on the ethnic makeup of the local people, there were many different types of beers and ales. Irish populations valued their ales and porters, while German newcomers preferred their lager.
Several brewers started exporting their beers after the war when refrigerated train wagons became commonplace. To promote their Budweiser beer, Anheuser-Busch commissioned the artwork Custer's Final Battle, appealing to patriotism in bars and taverns all around the nation. While the St. Louis brewery attempted to compete for sales with companies based in Milwaukee, it first debuted in 1896.
Because, as competition for national markets increased, Milwaukee's Pabst Brewing Company outsold all others in terms of sales. In 1874, Pabst was the biggest brewer in the country. Pabst sold more than 1 million barrels of beer in 1893, the majority of which went by the label Pabst Best Choice Lager. By producing cheese in its breweries, Pabst overcame Prohibition.
During the so-called Noble Experiment, the majority of small, regional breweries across the nation went out of business. Anheuser-Busch eclipsed Pabst in output and sales after Prohibition, taking over as the biggest brewer in the country in 1957. Although it is situated in Los Angeles rather than Milwaukee, Pabst is still in operation and continues to make several other formerly local beers in addition to its own brands.
