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.
1857
Frank Wahle and George Ruder establish the Stevens Point Brewery and brewed the first Point Beer.
1864
The Stevens Point Brewery provides beer to troops during the Civil War.
1880
It was during the 1880’s the brewery began marketing itself as the Stevens Point Brewery.*
1872
Andrew and Jacob Lutz expanded the brewery’s capacity when they constructed a new stone brewhouse.*
1908
Stevens Point Brewery installed mechanical refrigeration.
1920
The Stevens Point Brewery produces near-beer products and soft drinks during Prohibition.
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.
1930
Felix “Phil” Shibilski was hired by the brewery as an accountant. With Prohibition-era staffing reductions in force at the brewery, he had a wide range of tasks to tend to. Shibilski’s early duties included keeping the books, delivering product, and testing the product for quality control. After Charles Schenk died in 1943, Shibilski was promoted to brewery manager.
1937
Stevens Point Brewery added a large 4-door garage to the property to house their own distribution fleet of vehicles.
1970
Calvin Korfmann remained as brewery president until 1970, when he handed the operation over to Phil Shibilski. In the photograph, Phil Shibilski (second from left), Calvin Korfmann (third from left), and others help load a plane with Point Special cases for the Wisconsin exhibit in Washington, DC. This marks the first time any Point Brewery products were sent out of state.
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.
1974
Ken Shibilski, is named General Manager and became president of the Brewery in 1983, and chairman of the board in 1986, when he purchased the controlling interest. He continued to serve as president and owner until selling the brewery in 1992. He remained president during the transition, until July 1, 1995.
1983
The Stevens Point Brewery is “Among the best” breweries in the nation by Time Magazine.
1994
The brewery expands its facilities to include the installment of new aging tanks, allowing capacity to increase more than 40%.
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.
2002
Stevens Point Brewery is once again Wisconsin owned - sold by Barton Beers, Chicago, IL. Point Premium Root Beer Gourmet Soda is introduced.
2003
Point Special Lager wins the Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival over Miller Genuine Draft and Budweiser and receives national recognition.
2004
Stevens Point Brewery expands distribution throughout the Midwest.
2005
Stevens Point Brewery introduces three new gourmet soda brands: Point Premium Vanilla Cream, Diet Root Beer, and Black Cherry Cream.
2006
Investment totals two million dollars by new ownership in packaging warehouse and brewing equipment.
2007
Stevens Point Brewery celebrates 150 years of brewing.
2008
Stevens Point Brewery begins to produce seasonal brews.
2009
Whole Hog Limited Release Beers introduced.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2015
Stevens Point Brewery invests $1.5M more in new can filler and new tanks.
2017
Stevens Point Brewery celebrates 160th Anniversary. Commemorative Mural is painted in downtown Stevens Point.
2019
Point Special wins a gold medal at the United States Open Beer Championships.
2021
Stevens Point Brewery purchased an authentic 1949 Chevy Point Beer delivery truck to display in the beer garden.
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.
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.
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.
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.