Pabst Milwaukee Brewery Site, Wisconsin

Pabst is one of a few working class beer brands that began in Milwaukee. The company was established when Frederick Pabst took over an existing brewery in 1863. In 1893 it became the first brewer in the US to sell a million barrels per year, and it later pioneered putting beer in cans. The company peaked in 1978, selling more than 15 million barrels that year. In 1996, after more than a decade of poor sales, the large brewery in Milwaukee closed. Though its brands (which include Old Milwaukee, Schlitz, Blatz and other Milwaukee brewers purchased by Pabst over the years) continued, its beer was made elsewhere. The redevelopment of the dramatic-looking brewery complex into modern lofts and such is mostly complete.