In Chicago, a city known for its rich history and vibrant culture, residents have gathered to bid farewell to Schlitz, a beer that has been a staple in the community for over a century. This week, Chicagoans raised their glasses one last time to the iconic Midwestern lager, as its parent company, Pabst Brewing Co., announced the end of its production due to cost-cutting measures.
Schlitz’s Legacy in Chicago
Schlitz has long been intertwined with the fabric of Chicago, with its presence felt in the city’s numerous tied houses—bars owned by the brewery that exclusively served its products. These establishments, some of which still stand today, have become beloved local watering holes. Among them are Schubas Tavern in Lakeview and Friends of Friends in West Town, where patrons flocked to savor their final drafts of Schlitz.
Friends of Friends, located at 2001 W. Grand Ave., hosted a ‘Schlitz funeral’ on Memorial Day, offering 86-cent drafts to commemorate the beer’s departure. Co-owner Abe Vucekovich explained, ‘We wanted a way for Chicagoans to say goodbye to such an important beer, and when better to do that than on Memorial Day?’
A Historic Connection
The Grand Avenue building housing Friends of Friends is one of over 50 tied houses Schlitz built in Chicago between 1897 and 1905. These establishments played a significant role in the city’s recovery from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, helping to cement Schlitz’s popularity among Chicago’s drinking populace. The tied house tradition, borrowed from the United Kingdom, saw breweries constructing stately buildings where only their beer was on offer, often adorned with ornate masonry and the brand’s logo.
Today, ten former Schlitz tied houses are recognized as Chicago landmarks, a testament to the beer’s enduring legacy in the city. Patrons, including Milwaukee native Greg Shutters, expressed their disappointment at the beer’s indefinite hiatus. ‘I’ve loved all the tied houses here. It’s just a huge piece of the city fabric,’ Shutters remarked.
Memories and Farewells
At Schubas Tavern, located in the landmarked building at 3159 N. Southport Ave., the last glass of Schlitz was poured on Wednesday. Bartender Spencer Oullette, who has worked there for 13 years, shared, ‘I’ve probably had Schlitz over 1,000 times. There are so many memories I have with this beer.’
As Chicagoans say goodbye to Schlitz, the beer’s legacy continues to live on in the memories of those who cherished it. The end of Schlitz’s production marks the close of a chapter in Chicago’s storied history, but its impact on the city’s culture and community will not be forgotten.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
