2024 marks the 189th Oktoberfest celebration taking place in Munich, Germany. Oktoberfest, largely considered the largest folk festival in the world, has a calling that draws international revelers to the country: beer. Six million people are in attendance, and the beer and music flows freely. People attending the event can expect to spend between 13.60 and 15.30 euros (approximately $15.19 to $17.09). While the U.S. has no beer events that come close — although Oktoberfest is recreated, in smaller form, in cities across the U.S. — that doesn’t stop our country from absolutely loving our beer. Americans drink an average of 26.5 gallons of beer per person annually, and everyone has brands that they love.
In fact, Americans’ beer loyalty has kept numerous brands alive not just for decades, but for centuries. Since tastes vary, not every beer brand can survive. For example, Anchor Beer, once America’s oldest craft beer brand, was founded in 1896. This California craft beer staple was challenged when the company suffered from a decades-long downturn. After its purchase in 1965 by the great-grandson of the Maytag corporation, the company was rescued from bankruptcy and remained one of the last companies producing steam beer. After its 2010 purchase, and another change in ownership in 2017, Sapporo Breweries tried to revitalize the brand — but failed. Declining revenues led to liquidation in 2023. Chobani’s CEO purchased the assets earlier this year, but Anchor’s future is unknown. However, many other brands have survived despite changing ownership. To identify the oldest operating beer brands and breweries in America, 24/7 Wall St. explored data from Vine Pair, The Drinks Business, and Thrillist. Breweries are listed in descending order. Read on to see if you’re surprised about the beer on this list. (Check out these classic images of American taverns, bars, and saloons through the years.)
Why You Need to Hear About Beer
The beer market is estimated to contribute around $409 billion to the American economy annually. It generates around $111 billion in revenue alone, which is expected to increase to $145 billion by 2027. This means plenty of jobs and good news for beer stocks, two topics that are very relevant to the 24/7 Wall St. audience.
12. Coors Brewing Company
- Year founded: 1873
- Most famous beer: Coors Lite
Founded in 1873, Coors Brewing Company has since merged with Molson, Inc. to become one of the largest beer brands in the world. In addition, the original Coors location in Golden, Colorado, is the largest brewing facility on the planet. When German immigrants Adolph Coors and Jacob Schueler came over from what was Prussia at the time, they established a brewery and bought a recipe for Pilsner-style beer. The rest, as they say, is history, as Coors is the third-largest beer producer in the United States.
11. Straub Brewery
- Year founded: 1872
- Most famous beer: Straub American Lager
One of the oldest breweries still operating in America, Straub Brewery is a place that every beer aficionado must visit. Originally founded in 1867 by Peter Straub, who came from Germany, Straub is the third-oldest family-owned brewery in the United States. The Straub family still operates and oversees the entire company, having survived the Prohibition. It was the smallest brewery to do so, which is a real accomplishment. Today, Straub is one of the last remaining beer brands to sell 16-ounce glass bottles, better known as “pounders.”
10. Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company
- Year founded: 1867
- Most famous beer: Leinenkugel Original Lager
Founded by its namesake Jacob Leinenkugel, this beer company was originally designed only as a distribution effort across the Midwest. Originally opened in 1867, the brand has since gone nationwide, delivering to all 50 states. Leinenkugel is now a subsidiary of Molson Coors. The brewery is highly regarded for its lagers and ales, as well as the original recipe Leingenkugel brought with him from Germany. The formula was so good that it once accounted for over 90% of the company’s production for many years.
9. Frankenmuth Brewery
- Year founded: 1862
- Most famous beer: Frankenmuth Hefeweizen
Both a brewery and a restaurant, Frankenmuth Brewery is one of the oldest of its kind in Michigan. Founded in 1862, it has seen some ups and downs. At its high point in 1966, under the ownership of Randall Heine, the company sold over 30,000 barrels across 25 separate states. However, a tornado destroyed much of the brewery the same year, closing the company until 2003. Unfortunately, it closed as quickly as it opened again in 2003 due to financial difficulties. However, the Frankenmuth Brewery was purchased in 2009 and has reopened. Beer lovers, rejoice!
8. August Schell Brewing Company
- Year founded: 1860
- Most famous beer: Pils
Considered the second-oldest family brewery in America, August Schell Brewing Company was founded in 1860. It’s believed to produce roughly 145,000 beer barrels a year and remains a privately-owned brand originally founded by August Schell after emigrating to the US in 1848. Along with Maifest, Schmaltz’s Alt, Pils, and other beers, August Schell continues operating out of the same brewery building it has survived through multiple world wars and Prohibition.
7. Stevens Point Brewery
- Year founded: 1857
- Most famous beer: Point Special Lager
Founded in 1857 by Frank Wahle and George Ruder, Stevens Point Brewery will forever be known for providing beer to the troops fighting in the American Civil War. After the company was sold in 1867, the new Lutz family ran it before it was sold again in 1897. As with many companies on this list, ownership has changed a few times, but the brewery remains in private hands. Stevens Point Brewery remains the third-oldest privately owned brewery in the United States.
6. Miller Brewing Company
- Year founded: 1855
- Most famous beer: Miller Lite
A rival of Anheuser-Busch, Miller Brewing Company is one of the best-known brands in the beer world. Founded in 1855, the company stuck around the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area for over a century and a half before being acquired by Molson Coors in 2016. Brands like Miller Lite, Miller High Life, Miller Genuine Draft, Milwaukee’s Best, Olde English 800, and Miller Chill are just some of the brands the Miller Brewing Company brews annually.
5. Anheuser-Busch
- Year founded: 1852
- Most famous beer: Budweiser
Anheuser-Busch is a brand that needs very little introduction. This St. Louis, Missouri staple has roughly 45% market share of the entire U.S. brand market. Operating across 12 breweries nationwide, Anheuser-Busch brews Budweiser, Bud Light, Natural Light, Busch, Michelob, and more. After its founding in 1852 by George Schneider, the company now employs over 19,000 people. The company even operates ten theme parks (Busch Gardens) through its Busch Entertainment Corporation.
4. Minhas Craft Brewery
- Year founded: 1845
- Most famous beer: Boxer Lager
Located in Monroe, Wisconsin, Minhas Craft Brewery is the Midwest’s oldest brewery and the fourth oldest in the U.S. Currently listed as the 18th largest brewery in the country, Minhas is proud of its survival. The company has lasted through the Great Depression, Prohibition, fires, and numerous other challenges. Owned by the Minhas siblings, the company generates approximately $155 million in annual revenue. Some of this revenue is derived from shipping the beer to 16 other countries, including Brazil, China, England, Japan, Mexico, Norway, and Panama.
3. Pabst Brewing Company
- Year founded: 1844
- Most famous beer: Pabst Blue Ribbon
Founded by Jacob Best and his sons as the Empire Brewery, Pabst Brewing Company produced over 300 barrels of its “Best Select” lager in its first year. By 1960, Philip Best took over the brewery and renamed it to Philip Best Company. It took only a few short years before Frederick Pabst invested in the company and changed its name. By the 1870s, Philips Brewing Company was the second-largest brewery in the United States. It later changed its name to Pabst Brewing Company in 1890. While ownership has changed hands again over the years, the brewery remains committed to its founder’s vision. This remains one of the most well-known beer brands today.
2. Schaefer Brewing Company
- Year founded: 1842
- Most famous beer: Schaefer Beer
Coming in second on the oldest beer company list is the F & M Schaefer Brewing Company. Founded in 1842, the company, now owned by Pabst, can claim itself as America’s oldest lager. After relocating to Brooklyn in the early 20th century, Schaefar enjoyed success, where it was the fifth best-selling beer in America. Unfortunately, Schaefer was overrun by the big brands until Pabst absorbed it in 1999.
1. Yuengling
- Year founded: 1829
- Most famous beer: Yuengling Lager
Outside of Anchor, the oldest beer in America comes from the Yuengling Brewing Company. David G. Yuengling founded the company in Pottsville, Pennsylvania in 1829 under the name Eagle Brewin. Clearly, the company later changed its name. One fun fact about Yuengling is that to survive prohibition, the company switched to making ice cream. Thankfully, the company returned to beer after Prohibition ended and has used the same brewery since 1831. That’s why the beer remains both delicious and consistent.
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