Welcome to the Timeline
Here you will find a complete outline of Oshkosh's beer and brewing history. Each entry in the timeline includes a link to an in-depth article that explores a particular facet of this history. This is an ongoing project that began in 2011 and was last updated in January 2023. It will continue to evolve. I hope you enjoy your time here.Lee Reiherzer, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
The Dawn of a Beer Culture: 1845-1864
1845
Oshkosh isn’t yet incorporated as a city, but already the beer is flowing. More here.
1849
Two breweries are established in Oshkosh:
Hop farms are springing up in and around Oshkosh.
1852
George Loescher’s Oshkosh Brewery goes into operation at what is now 1253 and 1283 Bay Shore Drive More. There are more stories about Loescher’s Oshkosh Brewery here and here.
London-brewed Porter is flowing into Oshkosh More.
Two breweries are established in Oshkosh:
- The Jacob Konrad Brewery on Lake Street More.
- The Oshkosh Brewery of Joseph Schussler opens on Bay Shore Drive. Everything you need to know about this brewery can be found here, here and here.
Hop farms are springing up in and around Oshkosh.
- A history of hops in Oshkosh is here.
- A look at hop farming in Allenville is here (with an update here).
- A look at when hops were king in Allenville is here.
- A hoppy history of Delhi, now a ghost town, just west of Oshkosh is here.
- Lorenzo Hinman is growing hops in the Town of Clayton. More.
George Loescher’s Oshkosh Brewery goes into operation at what is now 1253 and 1283 Bay Shore Drive More. There are more stories about Loescher’s Oshkosh Brewery here and here.
1853
Oshkosh incorporates. We’re now a city!
Anton Andrea purchases the Jacob Konrad Brewery. It comes to be known as the Lake Brewery. Its lineage will thread through the entire history of commercial brewing in Oshkosh More.
Strong Ale from Scotland is flowing into Oshkosh More.
1856
The Fifth Ward Brewery is launched More.
1857
Spring arrives and with it comes the ceremonial opening of a lager bier vault. More here.
1858
Oshkosh's love affair with bock beer is underway More
The population of Oshkosh is 6,086.
The city has 12 taverns and three breweries:
- George Loescher runs the Oshkosh Brewery at the southwest corner of River and Eveline Streets.
- The Lake Brewery, owned by Anton Andrea, is located near the shore of Lake Winnebago in the general proximity of the area currently addressed as 74 Lake Street.
- Christian Kaehler is making beer at the Fifth Ward Brewery, sometimes called the Bush Brewery, near what is now the southeast corner of Algoma Boulevard and Vine Street.
A Beer-Soaked City: 1865-1919
1865Civil War Veteran Charles Rahr and his brother August found The City Brewery. Located at the foot of Rahr Avenue near the Shore of Lake Winnebago, the brewery would come to be known as the Rahr Brewing Company of Oshkosh More.
The mysterious Rudolph Otten, is brewing beer in Oshkosh. Here’s what is known of Otten.
1866
August Horn and Leonhardt Schwalm open the Brooklyn Brewery along what is now the 1600 Block of Doty Street. Here's a full history of the brewery.
Oshkosh is the second largest city in Wisconsin with a population of about 11,000. Only Milwaukee is larger. Oshkosh has 40 groceries, 30 Saloons and five breweries.
Hop Fever seizes Winnebago County. The promise of hop-farm riches proves elusive for many. More here.
1867
Franz Wahle establishes a farm brewery on the south side of Oshkosh. More here.
Hops have become a hot commodity in Oshkosh More.
1869
The Union Brewery run by John Glatz and Christian Elser begins producing beer More.
Gustavus Bogk opens The Oshkosh City Beer and Pleasure Gardens at the end of Otter Ave.
1870s
Leonard Schiffmann brews White Beer in Oshkosh More.
White Beer grows in popularity. Here’s a look at the White Beer breweries of Oshkosh.
Winnebago County has 11 breweries, an all-time high. Here’s a look at the locations of those breweries.
Hop Farms are found everywhere in Winnebago County. More on that here and here.
Independent beer bottlers begin setting up shop in Oshkosh. More here and here.
And here’s a closer look at one of those bottlers, a man named Otto Villnow.
Horse-drawn beer wagons are a familiar site on the streets of Oshkosh. Here’s a look at the beer wagons of Oshkosh.
Hop Farms are found everywhere in Winnebago County. More on that here and here.
Independent beer bottlers begin setting up shop in Oshkosh. More here and here.
And here’s a closer look at one of those bottlers, a man named Otto Villnow.
Horse-drawn beer wagons are a familiar site on the streets of Oshkosh. Here’s a look at the beer wagons of Oshkosh.
1871
Fire! Glatz and Elser’s Union Brewery burns. More.
Charlotte Ecke became the first woman in Oshkosh to take sole ownership of a brewery. More here.
1872
Death! A man is boiled alive at Horn & Schwalm’s Brooklyn Brewery. More.
1875
Lorenz Kuenzl opens the Gambrinus Brewery near what is now the intersection of Harney Avenue and Eveline Street. More here. And Kuenzl’s back story as the head brewer at the Stevens Point Brewery is here.
Leonard G. Arnold launches a most unusual brewery on South Main Street. More here.
1872
Death! A man is boiled alive at Horn & Schwalm’s Brooklyn Brewery. More.
1875
Lorenz Kuenzl opens the Gambrinus Brewery near what is now the intersection of Harney Avenue and Eveline Street. More here. And Kuenzl’s back story as the head brewer at the Stevens Point Brewery is here.
Leonard G. Arnold launches a most unusual brewery on South Main Street. More here.
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| The Gambrinus Brewery |
1878
The Union Brewery of Glatz and Elser becomes Oshkosh's leading beer producer. Here are the production numbers for 1878.
- Union Brewery: 1,530 barrels
- Horn and Schwalm’s Brooklyn Brewery: 1,366 barrels
- Lorenz Kuenzl’s Gambrinus Brewery: 470 barrels
- Rahr’s City Brewery: 340 barrels
- Christian Kaehler’s Fifth Ward Bush Brewery: 140 barrels
Fire! Frederick Loescher’s Oshkosh Brewery burns. More.
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| John Glatz's Union Brewery |
Fire! Horn & Schwalm’s Brooklyn Brewery burns (more). A new, larger brewery is built in its place. The new brewhouse is made of brick and can produce more lager beer than any other brewery in Oshkosh.
1880s
Kulmbacher-style beer is popular in Oshkosh More.
Breweries in Oshkosh begin adding corn to their beer recipes. Read all about it, here. Not all of the brewers here are fond of using adjuncts, though. Here’s what Joseph Schussler had to say about it.
1884
Frank X. Thielen is importing beer from other cities. Thielen becomes the beer merchant of Oshkosh. More.
1885
IPA may have made its first appearance in Oshkosh this year. More here.
1886
English-brewed bitter beers are finding an appreciative audience in Oshkosh. More here and here.
Milwaukee mega-brewery Schlitz is focusing its attention on Oshkosh. More.
A budding movement to ban alcohol is underway. Oshkosh brewer August Horn scoffs at the dry threat. More here.
1887
Sunday “Blue Laws” are being enforced in the city.
1888
Theodore Schwalm of Horn & Schwalm's Brooklyn Brewery drinks himself to death More here.
1887
Sunday “Blue Laws” are being enforced in the city.
1888
Theodore Schwalm of Horn & Schwalm's Brooklyn Brewery drinks himself to death More here.
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| Horn & Schwalm's Brooklyn Brewery |
1891
Large, shipping breweries converge on Oshkosh. More.
The competition from Milwaukee intensifies. Schlitz Brewing builds a bottling plant and distribution in the heart of Oshkosh. More.
There are four family-owned breweries in Oshkosh: Lorenz Kuenzl's Gambrinus Brewery, Horn & Schwalm's Brooklyn Brewery, John Glatz & Son's Union Brewery, and Charles Rahr's City Brewery.
1892
Silvo Fenn launches what will become Oshkosh’s largest independent beer bottling plant on Doty Street. More Here.
1893
Oshkosh brewers collude to fix prices in an attempt to fight off their "foreign" competitors. More.
1894
Oshkosh’s three largest breweries merge to form the Oshkosh Brewing Company. More.
1893
Oshkosh brewers collude to fix prices in an attempt to fight off their "foreign" competitors. More.
1894
Oshkosh’s three largest breweries merge to form the Oshkosh Brewing Company. More.
The Chief Oshkosh name and image is being co-opted by beer brewers. More here.
And here's more here on a remaining corollary of that legacy.
1896
Pabst Brewing builds a new beer distribution plant in Oshkosh at 136 Jackson Street. The following year, the mammoth Milwaukee brewery constructs a new Oshkosh saloon named the Pabst Exchange at 600 Ohio Avenue. Both buildings are still intact More.
1898
Oshkosh saloon keepers are in open revolt against the domineering ways of the Oshkosh Brewing Company. More here.
1900
The Oshkosh Brewing Company introduces a light lager named Gilt Edge. More Here.
The Oshkosh brewing Company dominates the beer market here.
1902
Carrie Nation, the battle-axe of the temperance movement, smashes into Oshkosh. More here.
1904
August Horn, co-founder of Horn and Schwalm's Brooklyn Brewery and the first president of the Oshkosh Brewing Company passes away More.
August Horn was a colorful character and we have stories about him here, here and here.
1907
Tom Ryan is selling England's strong Burton Ale at his Clipper Club saloon on Main Street More.
1910
Oshkosh beers are changing. The old-world brews are taking on a more “American” character. More here.
1911
Plans are announced to establish a new brewery in Oshkosh. Peoples Brewing Company is on its way to becoming a reality More here.
The Oshkosh Brewing Company begins construction of what will become one of the most admired brewhouses in the Midwest More.
A new era of modern brewing arrives in Oshkosh. More here.
1912
The Oshkosh Brewing Company is being challenged. The folks at the brewery are not the least bit happy about it. More here.
1912
The Oshkosh Brewing Company is being challenged. The folks at the brewery are not the least bit happy about it. More here.
1913
The Peoples Brewing Company of Oshkosh is open for business More.
Beer from Peoples Brewing Company begins flowing in Oshkosh.
The Peoples Brewing Company introduces Aristo Beer. More here.
The Peoples Brewing Company of Oshkosh is open for business More.
Beer from Peoples Brewing Company begins flowing in Oshkosh.
The Peoples Brewing Company introduces Aristo Beer. More here.
Peoples Brewing releases its Asterweiss beer. More here.
Peoples Brewing begins making its annual Holiday Beer. Here’s a history of holiday beers in Oshkosh.
1914
The Milwaukee breweries are losing the fight in Oshkosh. The Oshkosh Brewing Company takes over the Pabst Exchange at Sixth & Ohio More.
Oshkosh's three breweries team-up to fight their rivals from Milwaukee. More on that here.
The old Gambrinus Brewery on Harney Avenue is demolished. More.
1915
The Rahr Brewing Company builds a new bottling plant on Rahr Ave More.
The days of the horse-drawn beer wagon are coming to an end. Here come the beer trucks of Oshkosh.
1916
The Rahr Brewing Company of Oshkosh introduces Elk’s Head Beer. Here’s the inside scoop on that beer.
Peoples Brewing begins making its annual Holiday Beer. Here’s a history of holiday beers in Oshkosh.
1914
The Milwaukee breweries are losing the fight in Oshkosh. The Oshkosh Brewing Company takes over the Pabst Exchange at Sixth & Ohio More.
Oshkosh's three breweries team-up to fight their rivals from Milwaukee. More on that here.
The old Gambrinus Brewery on Harney Avenue is demolished. More.
1915
The Rahr Brewing Company builds a new bottling plant on Rahr Ave More.
The days of the horse-drawn beer wagon are coming to an end. Here come the beer trucks of Oshkosh.
1916
The Rahr Brewing Company of Oshkosh introduces Elk’s Head Beer. Here’s the inside scoop on that beer.
1919-1933: The Prohibition Era in Oshkosh
1919On the Eve of Prohibition, the people of Oshkosh attempt to drink the city dry More.
The Wartime Prohibition Act puts an end to commercial brewing. Oshkosh's three breweries limp along as best they can: The Oshkosh Brewing Company makes root beer, near beer and malt extract. Peoples Brewing and Rahr Brewing make near beer and soft drinks More.
The Oshkosh Brewing Company disseminates an enormous lie, claiming it has solved the problem of Prohibition More.
1920
Homebrewing explodes in Oshkosh. A look at the Oshkosh homebrewers of the Prohibition era here.
Oshkosh historian Clarence "Inky" Jungwirth is born. Here he tells a few tales about homebrewing in Oshkosh during the Prohibition years.
1925
Felix Gertsch becomes the first American-born brewmaster at the Oshkosh Brewing Company More.
In the depths of Prohibition, Anna Windhauser establishes Oshkosh first homebrew shop. Her incredible story is here.
1926
Thomas A Getchius, a member of the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors, introduces a resolution condemning Prohibition and encouraging the liberalization of the dry law to allow for beer. The measure passes 29 to 11. Getchius was a fun guy. Learn more about him here.
Slim Suda is the prototypical Oshkosh bootlegger. Here’s his story…
1929
Bureau of Prohibition officials report that Oshkosh is a thoroughly “wet” city. Wildcat breweries abound and as many as 120 speakeasies serve a population of 33,000 people.
Near beer is sold at Oshkosh “soda parlors.” The alcohol-free brews are often spiked with moonshine. More about that, here.
1930
Prohibition drags on, but they’re still cutting loose in the Nordheim section of Oshkosh. More here.
Mary Kollross’ wildcat brewery on Oregon Street is raided. More here.
There’s a wildcat brewery making bootleg beer on Wisconsin Street. More here.
There’s a wildcat brewery operating on High Avenue. Here’s how that came to be.
1931
Wildcat breweries in Oshkosh keep getting raided. Read all about it here and here.
1933
April: Beer becomes legal, once again... as long as it’s no stronger than 3.2% More.
Oshkosh celebrates the return of legal beer.
Here’s a look at what those first beers of 1933 were like.
December: The full repeal of Prohibition arrives. Oshkosh celebrates again. More here.
Peoples Brewing begins production of Würtzer Brew, which will come to be known simply as Peoples Beer More.
Oshkosh is a brewing anomaly. Of the approximately 1,400 American breweries that existed before Prohibition only about half remain. In Oshkosh, however, all three of the city’s breweries survive.
Homebrewing explodes in Oshkosh. A look at the Oshkosh homebrewers of the Prohibition era here.
Oshkosh historian Clarence "Inky" Jungwirth is born. Here he tells a few tales about homebrewing in Oshkosh during the Prohibition years.
Speakeasies have sprung up all over Oshkosh. The story on what was probably the most notorious of that bunch is here.
1921
Federal Prohibition agents make their first significant raid on Oshkosh in a fumbling attempt to enforce dry laws in a city that refuses to quit drinking. More here.
Oshkosh bootlegger Frank “Butch” Youngwirth, gets into the beer business. Here’s Butch’s story.
1921
Federal Prohibition agents make their first significant raid on Oshkosh in a fumbling attempt to enforce dry laws in a city that refuses to quit drinking. More here.
Oshkosh bootlegger Frank “Butch” Youngwirth, gets into the beer business. Here’s Butch’s story.
1922
Federal Prohibition agents return to Oshkosh for more raids. More here.
Moonshine is available everywhere in Oshkosh. People here refer to it as the White Mule. The suspicious death of young Marie Repp is blamed on the free-flow of illegal alcohol in the city. Oshkoshers demand something be done. More here.
Federal Prohibition agents return to Oshkosh for more raids. More here.
Moonshine is available everywhere in Oshkosh. People here refer to it as the White Mule. The suspicious death of young Marie Repp is blamed on the free-flow of illegal alcohol in the city. Oshkoshers demand something be done. More here.
Prohibition gives local elites another opportunity to punch down. More here.
Oshkosh is teeming with Wildcat breweries. Here’s how they made their bootleg beer. And here’s where those breweries were located.
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| The Butch Youngwirth Speakeasy |
1925
Felix Gertsch becomes the first American-born brewmaster at the Oshkosh Brewing Company More.
In the depths of Prohibition, Anna Windhauser establishes Oshkosh first homebrew shop. Her incredible story is here.
1926
Thomas A Getchius, a member of the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors, introduces a resolution condemning Prohibition and encouraging the liberalization of the dry law to allow for beer. The measure passes 29 to 11. Getchius was a fun guy. Learn more about him here.
Slim Suda is the prototypical Oshkosh bootlegger. Here’s his story…
And here's audio of Slim telling one of his bootlegging tales.
1927
An Oshkosh "beer doctor" gets busted.
Theodore Fisher’s wildcat brewery on South Main Street is raided. More here.
Mathias Sitter’s wildcat brewery on Harney Avenue is raided. More here.
1928
Chief Oshkosh "Beer" is born. The legendary brew starts out as a near beer More.
Oshkosh has two homebrew stores. The city is flooded with homebrew.
1927
An Oshkosh "beer doctor" gets busted.
Theodore Fisher’s wildcat brewery on South Main Street is raided. More here.
Mathias Sitter’s wildcat brewery on Harney Avenue is raided. More here.
1928
Chief Oshkosh "Beer" is born. The legendary brew starts out as a near beer More.
Oshkosh has two homebrew stores. The city is flooded with homebrew.
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| Prohibition-era homebrew shop owner Anna Windhauser |
1929
Bureau of Prohibition officials report that Oshkosh is a thoroughly “wet” city. Wildcat breweries abound and as many as 120 speakeasies serve a population of 33,000 people.
Near beer is sold at Oshkosh “soda parlors.” The alcohol-free brews are often spiked with moonshine. More about that, here.
1930
Prohibition drags on, but they’re still cutting loose in the Nordheim section of Oshkosh. More here.
Mary Kollross’ wildcat brewery on Oregon Street is raided. More here.
There’s a wildcat brewery making bootleg beer on Wisconsin Street. More here.
There’s a wildcat brewery operating on High Avenue. Here’s how that came to be.
1931
Wildcat breweries in Oshkosh keep getting raided. Read all about it here and here.
1933
April: Beer becomes legal, once again... as long as it’s no stronger than 3.2% More.
Oshkosh celebrates the return of legal beer.
And yet another tale of Oshkoshers celebrating the return of legal beer.
Here’s a look at what those first beers of 1933 were like.
December: The full repeal of Prohibition arrives. Oshkosh celebrates again. More here.
Peoples Brewing begins production of Würtzer Brew, which will come to be known simply as Peoples Beer More.
Oshkosh is a brewing anomaly. Of the approximately 1,400 American breweries that existed before Prohibition only about half remain. In Oshkosh, however, all three of the city’s breweries survive.
The Rise and Fall: 1934-1972
1934
Oshkosh’s Lee Beverage begins distributing beer More.
A tour of Oshkosh taverns in the post-Prohibition era is here.
1935
Oshkosh gets its first taste of beer in cans. More here.
1937
Peoples Brewery begins production of Old Derby Ale, the first commercially brewed ale to come from Oshkosh in almost 50 years More.
1939
The total capacity of the Oshkosh breweries is now a staggering 130,000 barrels of beer a year. Most of that beer is sold locally.
Oshkosh’s Lee Beverage begins distributing beer More.
A tour of Oshkosh taverns in the post-Prohibition era is here.
1935
Oshkosh gets its first taste of beer in cans. More here.
1937
Peoples Brewery begins production of Old Derby Ale, the first commercially brewed ale to come from Oshkosh in almost 50 years More.
1939
The total capacity of the Oshkosh breweries is now a staggering 130,000 barrels of beer a year. Most of that beer is sold locally.
- Oshkosh Brewing Company: 75,000 barrel capacity
- Peoples Brewing: 30,000 barrel capacity
- Rahr’s Brewing: 25,000 barrel capacity
1946
Here’s a sampling of what Oshksohers were drinking back in '46.
1949
The Oshkosh Brewing Company becomes the first brewery in Oshkosh to can its beer. Here’s an illustrated history of canned beers from Oshkosh.
The Oshkosh Brewing Company becomes the first brewery in Oshkosh to can its beer. Here’s an illustrated history of canned beers from Oshkosh.
1950s
A detailed look at the brewing methods and ingredients used by Peoples Brewing in the 1950s and 1960s is here.
1952
Charles Rahr III becomes the the 4th generation of Rahr brewers at the Rahr Brewing Company of Oshkosh More.
1953
Rahr’s Centennial Celebration Brew is one of the few-all-malt beers made in America. More on that, here.
Wilhelm Ernst Kohlhoff, the last of the German-born brewers to make beer in Oshkosh, is hired by Peoples Brewing Company. More here.
1956
The Oshkosh Brewing Company celebrates its 90th birthday More.
A short film is made about the Oshkosh Brewing Company. You can see it Here.
The Rahr Brewing Company of Oshkosh goes out of business More.
Some Oshkoshers are again drinking India Pale Ale More.
Though greatly diminished, remnants of the tied-house system still survives in Oshkosh. More here.
1957
The first fresh-hopped beer comes to Oshkosh More.
A mid-century look at beer culture in Oshkosh.
Chief Oshkosh and Peoples Beer are going head to head for the title of beer supreme in Oshkosh. More here.
For breweriana collectors only: the nearly lost labels of Peoples Brewing.
1959
1959
Peoples Brewing reintroduces a beer that it hasn’t made in 19 years. It’s the return of Peoples Bock Beer.
And for you homebrewers, here’s how to brew Peoples Bock.
And for you homebrewers, here’s how to brew Peoples Bock.
1961
David V. Uihlein, from the Milwaukee family that controls Schlitz, becomes president of the Oshkosh Brewing Company. For the first time the company is not being directed by a member of one of the brewery's founding families. More.
Chief Oshkosh Beer begins its long, steady decline. That story is here.
1963
Shorty Kuenzl buys Lee Beverage and goes to work against the Oshkosh Brewing Company, the brewery his family helped launch. More.
The Oshkosh Brewing Company introduces 8-packs of what it was calling the glass can. More here.
1967
The Oshkosh Brewing Company is producing three different brands of beer. But the label may have been the only point of difference. The beer under those labels appears to have all been the same. More here.
1969
Controlling interest of the Oshkosh Brewing Company is purchased by a group of six Oshkosh residents lead by Harold Kriz and Roger Zillges. Kriz becomes president. Zillges is named vice president. More.
1970
Peoples Brewing of Oshkosh becomes Wisconsin's first black-owned brewery More.
Oshkosh Welcomes Theodore Mack, the new President of Peoples Brewing More.
And here’s more on the tangled history of Peoples Brewing during the Ted Mack years.
The final years of Peoples Brewing seen through the eyes of a brewery worker.
1971
The Oshkosh Brewing Company goes out of business. More.
And here’s the story of OBC’s second death…
Peoples Brewing purchases the surviving brands of the recently defunct Oshkosh Brewing Company and begins producing Chief Oshkosh beer. More.
1972
Peoples Brewing Company of Oshkosh grinds to a halt More.
Here's more on the strange story of the end of Peoples Brewing.
Peoples Brewing purchases the surviving brands of the recently defunct Oshkosh Brewing Company and begins producing Chief Oshkosh beer. More.
1972
Peoples Brewing Company of Oshkosh grinds to a halt More.
Here's more on the strange story of the end of Peoples Brewing.
A Dark Age of Light Beer: 1973-1990
1973
For the first time in more than 120 years, Oshkosh is without a brewery. The city is awash in bland, pale lager. The dark ages for beer in Oshkosh begin.
The breweries have closed and the spelunking is underway. More here.
1974
Demolition crews begin tearing down Peoples Brewing Company More.
1975
Beer can collecting is all the rage in Oshkosh. More here.
1976
The former site of the Union Brewery becomes Glatz Park More.
1986
After 15 years of neglect, the once magnificent brewery of the Oshkosh Brewing Company is torn down More.
1974
Demolition crews begin tearing down Peoples Brewing Company More.
1975
Beer can collecting is all the rage in Oshkosh. More here.
1976
The former site of the Union Brewery becomes Glatz Park More.
1977
Oshkosh Congressman Bill Steiger wants to make homebrewing legal. More here.
One hundred Oshkosher’s gather to determine the best beer in town. More here.
After 15 years of neglect, the once magnificent brewery of the Oshkosh Brewing Company is torn down More.
The Craft Era: 1991-2023
1991
The Society of Oshkosh Brewers becomes Oshkosh’s first homebrewing club. Here's a history of the club.
Production of Chief Oshkosh Red Lager begins More.
The Society of Oshkosh Brewers becomes Oshkosh’s first homebrewing club. Here's a history of the club.
Production of Chief Oshkosh Red Lager begins More.
Chief Oshkosh Red Lager is the first American craft beer to be packaged in cans More.
Here's a look at a controversial Chief Oshkosh Red Lager billboard.
1992
The Chief Oshkosh Red Lager can is named Can of the Year by the Brewery Collectibles Club of America. More here.
1993
Chief Oshkosh Red Lager is targeted by a Minnesota group offended by the beer's use of a Native American name. More here.
1994
Jeff Fulbright makes a last ditch effort to save Chief Oshkosh Red Lager and the Mid-Coast Brewing Company More.
1992
The Chief Oshkosh Red Lager can is named Can of the Year by the Brewery Collectibles Club of America. More here.
Chief Oshkosh Red Lager is targeted by a Minnesota group offended by the beer's use of a Native American name. More here.
1994
Jeff Fulbright makes a last ditch effort to save Chief Oshkosh Red Lager and the Mid-Coast Brewing Company More.
1995
Fratellos’ Fox River Brewing Company opens at 1501 Arboretum Drive in Oshkosh. Here's a full history of the brewery.
And here's a beer history of Fox River, beer by beer.
1996
The first Brews n' Blues Festival is held in Oshkosh’s Riverside Park More.
2001
Fox River Brewing is awarded three medals by the North American Brewers Association. They receive a Gold for their River Bend Belgian Abbey; Bronze for Caber Tossing Scottish Ale; and Silver for Winnebago Wheat.
2005
The first Hops & Props Festival is held at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh.
2009
The iconic emblem of the Oshkosh Brewing Company goes on permanent display at the Oshkosh Public Museum More.
2010
The Oshkosh Beer Blog is launched by someone without enough sense to know better.
Fox River Brewing wins Silver at World Beer Cup. Kevin Bowen is the brewmaster More.
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| Fox River Brewing, Oshkosh. |
2012
Fox River Brewing wins its second World Beer Cup Award for its Brandy Barrel Abbey Normal. The brewmaster is Kevin Bowen.
The first comprehensive history of brewing in Oshkosh, The Breweries of Oshkosh, Their Rise and Fall, is released More.
Casks & Caskets, Wisconsin’s first all homebrew beer festival, takes place in Oshkosh More.
2013
Harold Kriz, the last president of the Oshkosh Brewing Company, dies More.
2015
Bare Bones Brewery announces its plan to open in the Town of Oshkosh.
The Fifth Ward Brewing Company announces plans to open a brewery in Oshkosh.
Sawdust City Brewing announces that it will open in Oshkosh. Later, the project's name is changed to The Highholder Brewing Company.
Fox River Brewing is again distributing its beer. More on that here.
Bare Bones Brewery opens its taproom.
Fratellos Waterfront Restaurant & Brewery is renamed Fox River Brewing Company & Taproom. Production at the brewery is surging. More on all of that here.
Bare Bones Brewery brews its first batch of beer. Meet the people behind the brewery here.
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| Bare Bones Brewery |
2016
Jeff Fulbright, former president of Mid-Coast Brewing and maker of Chief Oshkosh Red Lager, announces his plan to open the Oshkosh Bier & Brewing Company. The plan never comes to fruition. More.
Brews n’ Blues, Oshkosh’s longest running beer festival, ends after a 20-year run. More.
For the first time, wet-hop beers are made by Oshkosh breweries. More.
For the first time in more than 130 years, an Oshkosh brewery makes beer with Oshkosh-grown hops. More.
The Cellar homebrew shop opens in Oshkosh. It’s the first homebrew store in Oshkosh since Prohibition ended in 1933. More.
Oshkosh Girl’s Pint Out is launched. More.
2017
HighHolder Brewing begins producing beer. Mike Schlosser and Shawn O’Marro from HighHolder explain what Oshkosh’s newest brewery will be about.
Fifth Ward Brewing Company opens in Oshkosh. More on that here.
The backstory on Fifth Ward is here.
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| Fifth Ward Brewing |
2018
The first Fox Valley Winter Beer Fest takes place. More here.
HighHolder Brewing releases its first set of beers.
Oshkosh is home again to four breweries. It's the most the city has had since 1894. More here.
Breweries in Oshkosh are making hazy IPAs. More here.
For the first time since 1888, Winnebago County is home to eight breweries. More here.
Fifth Ward Brewing introduces its sour beer. It’s the first sour by an Oshkosh brewery since 1910. More here.
2019
Bare Bones Brewery releases Oshkosh Lager. It becomes the first year-round lager produced by an Oshkosh brewery since Oshkosh Red Lager was discontinued in 1994. More here.
The book Winnebago County Beer is released. It’s the first full history of brewing in Winnebago County.
Oshkosh homebrew store The Cellar is sold to a brewer from Menasha. More here.
Hidden Valley Hops Farm is established. It’s the first commercial hop yard in Winnebago County since the early 1880s. More here.
Bare Bones Brewery introduces the Oshkosh Heritage Series of beers; a series of recreations and commemorations of historic Oshkosh beers. More here.
Breweries in Oshkosh are making hazy IPAs. More here.
For the first time since 1888, Winnebago County is home to eight breweries. More here.
Fifth Ward Brewing introduces its sour beer. It’s the first sour by an Oshkosh brewery since 1910. More here.
2019
Bare Bones Brewery releases Oshkosh Lager. It becomes the first year-round lager produced by an Oshkosh brewery since Oshkosh Red Lager was discontinued in 1994. More here.
The book Winnebago County Beer is released. It’s the first full history of brewing in Winnebago County.
Oshkosh homebrew store The Cellar is sold to a brewer from Menasha. More here.
Hidden Valley Hops Farm is established. It’s the first commercial hop yard in Winnebago County since the early 1880s. More here.
Bare Bones Brewery introduces the Oshkosh Heritage Series of beers; a series of recreations and commemorations of historic Oshkosh beers. More here.
The COVID-19 Pandemic strikes and beer production in Oshkosh crashes. More here.
The COVID-19 lockdown has Oshkoshers turning to homebrewing. More here.
For the first time since 1972, an Oshkosh brewery has its own canning line. More here.
And here's a short video comparing the old and new canning lines.
Oshkosh breweries are exploring beer-adjacent beverages. More here.
For the first time, two Oshkosh breweries collaborate to make a beer. More here.
2021
Bare Bones produces a beer that's fermented with native Oshkosh yeast. It’s a first. More here.
Bare Bones releases the strongest beer ever produced in Oshkosh. More here.
The first Oshkosh casualty of the craft-beer era. HighHolder Brewing closes. More here.
Overviews and General Histories
The location of every Oshkosh brewery from 1849-2019 is shown here.
The years of operation for every Oshkosh brewery is here.
An overview of the Doty Street Brewing District is here.
An overview of the Stevens Park Beer District is here.
A history of beer prices in Oshkosh is here.