List of defunct breweries in the United States

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== List of Defunct Breweries in the United States ==

The history of brewing in the United States is rich and varied, with many breweries having come and gone over the centuries. This list provides an overview of notable defunct breweries that once operated in the United States.

19th Century

During the 19th century, the brewing industry in the United States began to flourish, particularly with the influx of German immigrants who brought their brewing traditions with them. Many of these early breweries did not survive into the 20th century.

• Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. - Founded in 1853 in Cincinnati, Ohio, it was one of the largest breweries in the United States before Prohibition.
• P. Ballantine and Sons Brewing Company - Established in 1840 in Newark, New Jersey, it was one of the oldest and most successful breweries in the country before ceasing operations in 1972.

Early 20th Century

The early 20th century saw the rise and fall of many breweries, particularly due to the impact of Prohibition from 1920 to 1933, which forced many breweries to close or switch to producing non-alcoholic products.

• Jacob Ruppert Brewing Company - Located in New York City, it was founded in 1867 and was known for its Knickerbocker beer. It closed in 1965.
• Schlitz Brewing Company - Once the largest producer of beer in the United States, it was founded in 1849 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The company ceased operations in 1982.

Late 20th Century

The latter half of the 20th century saw the consolidation of the brewing industry, with many smaller breweries being bought out by larger corporations or closing due to competition.

• Rainier Brewing Company - Founded in 1878 in Seattle, Washington, it was a major player in the Pacific Northwest before closing in 1999.
• Falstaff Brewing Corporation - Once the third-largest brewer in the United States, it was founded in 1838 in St. Louis, Missouri. The brand was discontinued in 2005.

21st Century

The 21st century has seen a resurgence in craft brewing, but also the closure of some historic breweries that could not compete in the modern market.

• Anchor Brewing Company - Founded in 1896 in San Francisco, California, it was one of the oldest craft breweries in the United States before ceasing operations in 2023.

Related Pages

• History of beer in the United States
• Prohibition in the United States
• List of breweries in the United States
• Craft beer