Independent Milwaukee
Information:Current Status: Defunct
Founded: 1901 Founder: Location: 2701 South 13th Street |
Pre-ProhibitionThe Milwaukee Independent Brewery was founded in 1901 at 9th and Cleveland Avenues. It remained at that location up until it moved in 1920. During prohibition, the brewery produced "near beer", like many other breweries, so it could survive.
Post ProhibitionFollowing Prohibition, brewery President Henry Bills became the first brewer in Wisconsin to pay for a beer manufacturing permit. $1,000 was paid by him as a federal fee along with a $5 tax per barrel. The tax was the first tax on beer since before Prohibition. Also, In order to make storage and production space available for beer, Independent Milwaukee Brewery halted its production of “near beer” after the Prohibition ended. Other local breweries continued their production of “near beer.” In 1939, The Independent Milwaukee Brewery and the Miller Brewing Company were charged with “tavern subsidization.” Penalties could have included a $500 fine and a revocation of their brewing license. However, the charges were dismissed. In 1963 the Independent Milwaukee Brewery laid off workers until only 50 full time manufacturers were still employed. Following the layoffs, the company announced that it would merge with one of Wisconsin’s larger breweries of “premium beer.” In 1962, the brewery was still producing 133,000 barrels of beer. The Independent Milwaukee Brewery Closed in 1964.
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