When did they stop making Schlitz beer?
Schlitz beer was produced for over a century, from 1849 to 1982. However, the brand's popularity and success began to decline in the 1970s, leading to significant changes in the company and ultimately its demise.
In the early 1970s, Schlitz was the top-selling beer in the United States, enjoying a strong reputation for quality and taste. However, in an attempt to increase profits and production, the company made a series of ill-fated decisions that had a negative impact on the brand.
One of the major missteps was the introduction of a high-temperature fermentation process known as “flash pasteurization.” This method allowed for faster production but resulted in a beer with an altered flavor and a shorter shelf life. This change went unnoticed by consumers initially, but as the taste of Schlitz beer deteriorated, sales began to suffer.
Furthermore, in an effort to cut costs, Schlitz started using cheaper ingredients, such as corn syrup, instead of traditional barley malt. This move further compromised the quality and taste of the beer. As a result, loyal customers started to lose faith in the brand, and sales continued to decline.
The final blow came in 1981 when a major scandal erupted, known as the “Schlitz Tainted Beer Scandal.” It was discovered that the company had been diluting its beer with water and adding chemicals to preserve the flavor. This revelation caused public outrage and further damaged the already struggling brand.
As a result of these issues, Schlitz Brewing Company filed for bankruptcy in 1982. The company was eventually sold to Stroh Brewery Company, a rival brewing company based in Detroit. Stroh continued to produce Schlitz beer for a few more years but eventually phased out the brand altogether.
Today, Schlitz beer is no longer being produced. The once iconic and influential brewing company met its demise due to a combination of poor decisions, compromising quality for profit, and a loss of consumer trust. The story of Schlitz serves as a cautionary tale in the brewing industry, highlighting the importance of maintaining quality and consumer trust in order to sustain success.