Glunz Tavern in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood tapped the last barrel of Schlitz beer on Thursday, August 13, 2026, marking the final pour of a brand that has been part of the city’s brewing history for more than a century.
The tavern, which has served as the original Schlitz bottling location since 1893, performed the historic draw in front of patrons who gathered to witness the end of an era. The final barrel was pulled from the taproom’s aging cask, delivering the last of the once‑widely distributed lager.
Schlitz was first bottled at Glunz Tavern in 1893, establishing the establishment as the city’s original bottler for the brand. For decades, the tavern supplied the local market and helped spread Schlitz throughout Chicago, contributing to the beer’s reputation as a staple of American drinking culture.
At its peak, Schlitz ranked among the nation’s major beer producers, a status that earned it the nickname “the beer that made Milwaukee famous.” Over time, market shifts and corporate changes led to the gradual decline of the brand, culminating in its discontinuation nationwide.
The final barrel drawn at Glunz Tavern represents the closure of Schlitz’s continuous presence in Chicago. No further taps will be filled, and the tavern’s historic connection to the brand now rests solely in its archives and the memories of longtime customers.
With the last pour completed, Glunz Tavern joins a growing list of Chicago establishments that have witnessed the retirement of historic beer brands. The event underscores the changing landscape of the city’s brewing heritage, as new craft offerings replace the legacy of once‑dominant national labels.
The taproom’s staff cleared the remaining glassware after the pour, and the empty cask was set aside as a tangible reminder of more than 130 years of Schlitz history in the city.