German immigrants brought a heritage of beer making to Wisconsin, and brewing rapidly became an important state industry. Wisconsin boasted nearly 160 breweries by the Civil War. Milwaukee earned a reputation as "the beer capital of the world," the home of such prominent companies as Miller, Pabst, and Schlitz. Today, the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team pays homage to the local brewing tradition.

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The Brewing Industry in Wisconsin

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Dictionary of Wisconsin History

Explore more than 1,600 people, places and events in Wisconsin history.