In this article, we are going to discuss the top 5 oldest breweries in America. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of how the advent of refrigeration changed the brewing industry, the economic contribution of the American beer industry, the recent acquisition in the national beer landscape, and the new trend in the craft beer market, head to Top 20 Oldest Breweries in America.
5. Stevens Point Brewery, WI
Year of Establishment: 1857
Frank Wahle and George Ruder established the Stevens Point Brewery in 1857, brewing the first Point Beer, and making it the third-oldest privately owned brewery in America. The brewery also invested over $7 million in expansion projects from 2012 to 2015. The company offers five year-round beers and five seasonal beers, including a Milkshake Malt Porter.
With a sales volume of 120,000 barrels in 2022, Stevens Point is among the Largest Craft Breweries in the Country.
4. Miller Brewing Company, WI
Year of Establishment: 1855
Frederick Miller’s Plank Road Brewery in Milwaukee boasts an all-star German lineage that involves the Miller, Coors, and Leinenkugel families. In 2016, the Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) acquired the entire global brand portfolio of Miller Brewing Company in a deal worth $12 billion, and still operates the Miller Brewery at the original complex.
Miller Brewing is one of the oldest brewery companies in the U.S.
3. Anheuser-Busch Brewery, MO
Year of Establishment: 1852
The St. Louis facility is the flagship brewery of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) and also serves as its headquarters. Known as the Home of Budweiser, the brewery is remarkable for its beautiful interior and has been offering tours to the public since the 1890’s. The site was chosen for its proximity to the Mississippi River, as well as the nearby caves that served as refrigerators before mechanized cooling.
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) has also started the production of its Belgian brand Stella Artois at its St. Louis brewery, as part of the $1 billion capital investment program at its U.S. production facilities.
The St. Louis brewery of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) is the third oldest brewery in the United States.
2. Minhas Craft Brewery, WI
Year of Establishment: 1845
Located in the historic town of Monroe, Minhas is the Midwest’s oldest brewery and the second-oldest brewing facility in the entire nation. Family-owned since 1845, the brewery has survived the Great Depression, the Prohibition, brushes with the mob, and even two major fires. The 5% ABV Boxer Lager is a top selling craft beer by Minhas.
Minhas Craft Brewery boasted sales volume of 162,288 barrels in 2022 and is the 2nd Oldest Brewery in America.
1. D.G. Yuengling & Son, PA
Year of Establishment: 1829
Yuengling started off with making only 600 barrels of beer a year in the days of hand-hewn fermentation caves, before mechanized refrigeration. But things have changed over the years and with a sales volume of over 2.2 million barrels in 2022, Yuengling is now among the largest breweries in America. The family-owned brewery has traditionally changed ownership through the purchase of the company by the offspring of the previous owner. Its flagship product is the Yuengling Traditional Lager – the oldest lager in America.
Established by the German brewer David Yuengling in 1829, Yuengling is the oldest brewery in the United States.
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