Our History
Explore Stevens Point Brewery’s rich history as one of the oldest, continuously operating breweries in the country — from 1857 to the present.
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1857
Frank Wahle and George Ruder establish the Stevens Point Brewery and brewed the first Point Beer.
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1864
The Stevens Point Brewery provides beer to troops during the Civil War.
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1880
It was during the 1880’s the brewery began marketing itself as the Stevens Point Brewery.*
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1872
Andrew and Jacob Lutz expanded the brewery’s capacity when they constructed a new stone brewhouse.*
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1908
Stevens Point Brewery installed mechanical refrigeration.
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1920
The Stevens Point Brewery produces near-beer products and soft drinks during Prohibition.
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1930
Wisconsin is home to more than 80 breweries, most of which go out of business after the Great Depression but the Stevens Point Brewery continues to thrive.
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1937
Stevens Point Brewery added a large 4-door garage to the property to house their own distribution fleet of vehicles.
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1973
Point Special is rated the #1 American beer in a taste test as reported by Mike Royko, a prominent columnist for the Chicago Daily News.
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1994
The brewery expands its facilities to include the installment of new aging tanks, allowing capacity to increase more than 40%.
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1997
As the demand continues for the Point Beer products, the brewery constructs a 15,000 sq. ft. warehouse facility to house finished goods and streamline the shipping process.
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2002
Stevens Point Brewery is once again Wisconsin owned - sold by Barton Beers, Chicago, IL. Point Premium Root Beer Gourmet Soda is introduced.
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2003
Point Special Lager wins the Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival over Miller Genuine Draft and Budweiser and receives national recognition.
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2004
Stevens Point Brewery expands distribution throughout the Midwest.
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2005
Stevens Point Brewery introduces three new gourmet soda brands: Point Premium Vanilla Cream, Diet Root Beer, and Black Cherry Cream.
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2006
Investment totals two million dollars by new ownership in packaging warehouse and brewing equipment.
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2007
Stevens Point Brewery celebrates 150 years of brewing.
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2008
Stevens Point Brewery begins to produce seasonal brews.
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2009
Whole Hog Limited Release Beers introduced.
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2010
Stevens Point Brewery expands with a 2,700 sq. ft. addition including a new keg cooler and four new aging tanks. This increases capacity to more than 80,000 barrels. Distribution grows to 25 states.
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2011
In order to keep up with demand, the Stevens Point Brewery expands with a 6,000 sq. ft. warehouse and adds 8 more tanks. This increases capacity to nearly 100,000 barrels.
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2012
Stevens Point Brewery grows its portfolio and begins producing Ciderboys Hard Cider. It also expands with 9 new fermentation tanks and two new bright beer tanks. This increases capacity to 120,000 barrels of beer annually. 2010-2012 expansions total $2.1 million.
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2013
Stevens Point Brewery announces $2M expansion with the addition of a second brew kettle, 16 more unitanks, a new automated grain handling system and a new can packer. This increases capacity to 150,000 barrels of beer annually.
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2014
Stevens Point Brewery invests $1.5M in equipment and infrastructure upgrades. It installs three more unitanks, upgrades bottle filler and purchases 1,000 new kegs for the brewery’s expanding draft beer/cider business.
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2015
Stevens Point Brewery invests $1.5M more in new can filler and new tanks.
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2017
Stevens Point Brewery celebrates 160th Anniversary. Commemorative Mural is painted in downtown Stevens Point.
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2019
Point Special wins a gold medal at the United States Open Beer Championships.
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2021
Stevens Point Brewery purchased an authentic 1949 Chevy Point Beer delivery truck to display in the beer garden.
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2021
The Stevens Point Brewery expanded with a $2.5M investment in new capacity, equipment and capabilities. The upgrades to the historic Wisconsin brewery included four additional 300 bbl fermentation tanks, a second centrifuge, state of the art tunnel pasteurization, doubled line speeds, variety pack cans, and more. The additional 40,000 barrels will bring Point’s annual output to 165,000 barrels.
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2023
The Stevens Point Brewery announces first ever collaborative beer named Hula Badger with Kohola Brewery, Lahaina, HI. This was part of the Connected Communities initiative through Sentry Insurance Foundation.
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2023
The Stevens Point Brewery expanded with a $2.5M New Brewhouse. The “James and Susee Wiechmann Brew House” opened in May of 2023. The new system is more efficient: using less water, saving time, and providing better consistency and quality to the beer with the ability to brew 100 more barrels a day.
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2024
The Stevens Point Brewery opens new $1.1M tap room. Locals and visitors alike can enjoy their favorite Point Beer on draft while sitting inside the tap room or outside in the connected beer garden.
*Credit | John Harry, writer of the Stevens Point Brewery Company pictorial history book.