Old Milwaukee has never been the biggest brand in the beer aisle. It doesn’t chase trends or try to reinvent itself every few years. But over its many decades run, it has found a permanent place in garage refrigerators and neighborhood bars across the Midwest.

And here are ten things you might not know about one of America’s classic value beers.

It dates all the way back to the 1840s

The roots of Old Milwaukee stretch into the earliest days of Wisconsin’s brewing history. While the specific brand name came later, its lineage connects directly to the 19th-century breweries that helped put Milwaukee on the map as a world-class beer city.

 It didn’t start out as “Old Milwaukee”

The name we know today didn’t actually appear until the 1930s. Like so many classic American brews, the brand evolved through decades of mergers, business deals, and changing tastes rather than staying tied to a single, permanent brewery.

It used to be considered a premium lager

Today, Old Milwaukee is firmly in the budget-friendly category, but it wasn’t always a value beer. When it first launched nationwide, it was marketed as a high-quality American lager meant for a broad audience. Beer marketing has shifted dramatically over the years, changing how we view older brands.

 It became a Midwest favorite for good reason

Old Milwaukee built a fiercely loyal following across states like Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa thanks to its easy-drinking flavor and reliable price tag. straightforward lagers have always been a staple of American beer culture, and Old Milwaukee became one of the most dependable names in the game.

It inspired one of the most memorable celebrity beer campaigns ever

In the late 1980s and early ’90s, actor and comedian John Candy became the face of Old Milwaukee. His commercials leaned into genuine humor and everyman charm rather than polished glamour, and those ads remain a favorite among vintage beer fans today.

Yes, there is an Old Milwaukee Light

When light beer exploded in popularity during the late 20th century, Old Milwaukee introduced a lighter version to keep pace with the market. It helped the brand stay relevant during an era when Americans were increasingly reaching for lower-calorie option

The beer has changed hands multiple times

Old Milwaukee has lived under a few different corporate roofs over the decades. After being owned by a couple of major brewing groups, it eventually found its current home in the portfolio of the Pabst Brewing Company.

It has actually won awards

Its reputation as an affordable budget beer often overshadows the fact that it has picked up real brewing accolades over the years. Old Milwaukee has taken home its share of medals at prestigious beer competitions. In fact Old Milwaukee has won 19 medals at the Great American Beer Festival over the years.

Its slogan became an iconic piece of pop culture

For years, the brand’s commercials centered around the catchphrase, “It doesn’t get any better than this.” The line perfectly captured the beer’s easygoing personality and reminded people that enjoying a cold drink didn’t need to be complicated. It was also Steve McQueen’s (The “King of Cool”) favorite beer, and that’s very cool.

It still holds its own in modern beer culture

The craft beer boom completely changed the conversation around American brewing, but classic lagers never went away and if anything they are making a big comeback.

There’s still something  satisfying about cracking open a no-nonsense lager and Old Milwaukee is most certainly that.

###

Want more “10 Things”?

We’ve got ‘em…

10 Things You Might Not Know About Firestone Walker Brewing

10 Things You May Not Know About Budweiser

10 Things You Might Not Know About Sierra Nevada Brewing

10 Things You Might Not Know About Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

10 Things You Might Not Know About Garage Beer