Melms Brewery
Information:Current Status: Operating
Founded: 1830s Founder: CT Melms Location: 748 W. Virginia St. |
Melms Brewery, formerly known as South Side Brewery, was founded by CT Melms, who is known as the first beer baron in Milwaukee (a claim made by the newly resurrected Melms Brewery). Brewed by Herman Reuthlisberger in 1840, South Side Brewery introduced its first lager beer. Eight years later, in 1848, CT Melms gained control of the brewery.
During the Civil War, Melms had the best selling beer in Milwaukee. However, in 1869, the brewery was purchased by the Philip Best Brewing Company (now known as the Pabst Brewing Company), and they renamed it the Philip Best South Side Brewery. Recently, the brewery has been resurrected by Brandon Van Epps, Robert Stack, Tom Melms, Lance Braun, Mike Wilharms, and Gloria Gabriel. |