Stevens Point Brewery
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brewing |
| Founded | 1857 |
| Founder | George Ruder and Frank Wahle |
| Headquarters | Stevens Point , United States |
| Products | Beer, gourmet sodas |
Stevens Point Brewery is a regional brewery located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, recognized as the fifth-oldest brewery in continuous operation and the third-oldest privately held brewery in the United States.
History
Established in 1857 by George Ruder and Frank Wahle, the brewery provided beer to soldiers during the American Civil War. In 1867, ownership transferred to Andrew and Jacob Lutz, followed by Gustav Kuenzel in 1897. The business was incorporated under the name Gustav Kuenzel Brewing Company in 1901 and rebranded as Stevens Point Brewing Company the following year. Ludwig Korfman gained controlling interest in 1924 and reorganized it as Stevens Point Beverage Company. Notably, the brewery survived Prohibition while many local competitors did not.
During the 1950s, Stevens Point Brewery pioneered canned beer production. By 1973, its Point Special beer was acclaimed as the top American beer in a prominent taste evaluation. The Shibilski brothers, Felix and Ken, assumed ownership in the 1970s. The company expanded beyond Wisconsin markets starting in 1990, entering Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Minnesota. In 1992, Barton Beers Ltd from Chicago acquired Stevens Point Brewery, making it their only domestic brand alongside imported beers such as Corona; however, increasing Corona sales eventually shifted corporate priorities away from Point.
In 2002, Wisconsin real estate developers Joe Martino and Jim Wiechmann reacquired Stevens Point Brewery, reinstating local ownership and broadening its product range to include gourmet sodas that same year. The following year, Point Special received a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival for premium lager. Growth continued with the acquisition of four brands from James Page Brewing Company in 2005. By 2008, distribution had expanded to 18 states.
For nearly twenty years, Stevens Point produced and bottled Karl Strauss Brewing Company beers until production moved elsewhere in 2009. The brewery increased its annual brewing capacity to 100,000 barrels by 2011 and further to 150,000 barrels by 2013 to accommodate ongoing expansion and strengthen its market presence.
Sales volume
As of 2025, Stevens Point Brewery ranks as the 23rd-largest craft brewer and holds the position of 35th-largest overall brewery within the United States, reflecting its substantial share in the national brewing landscape.
Awards
The brewery has received numerous industry honors, including three victories in the American-style amber category for Point Amber Classic (Gold medals in 1996 and 2012; Silver in 2002) as well as three awards in the Schwarzbier category for Point 2012 Black Ale (Gold in 2013; Silver medals in 2011 and 2012). Additional recognitions for other products within its lineup highlight its strong competitive standing and commitment to quality.
Alcoholic Beverages
- Point Special Lager
- Point Bock Seasonal
- Point Amber Classic
- Point Cascade Pale Ale
- Point Belgian White Wheat Ale
- Point Onyx Black Ale
- Point Three Kings Kölsch Style Ale
- Point Nude Beach Summer Wheat
- Point Oktoberfest
- Point St. Benedict's Winter Ale
- Point Drop Dead Blonde
- Point Smiley Blue Pils
- Point Beyond the Pale IPA
- Whole Hog Raspberry Saison
- Whole Hog Russian Imperial Stout
- Whole Hog Six Hop India Pale Ale (IPA)
- Whole Hog Scotch Ale
- Whole Hog Barley Wine Style Ale
- Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale
- JP Casper White Stout
- JP Yabba Dhabba Chai Tea Porter
- JP Ould Sod Irish Red IPA
- JP Accapella Gluten-Free Pale Ale
- Ciderboys First Press
- Ciderboys Magic Apple
- Ciderboys Peach County
- Ciderboys Raspberry Smash
- Ciderboys Cranberry Road
- Ciderboys Mad Bark
- Brands crafted by Baraboo Brewing Company exclusively for Hy-Vee supermarkets
- Woodpecker Wheat
- Lumberjack IPA
- Red Granite Lager
- Snow Drift Black IPA
- Bonfire Märzen
- Previously produced offerings include
- Point Holiday Beer (1935–1940)
- Prize Beer (1935–1940)
- Big Charlie Beer (1937–1944)
- Amber Prize Beer (1939–1950)
- Karl Strauss Brewing Company brands (1989–2009)
Gourmet Sodas
- Point Premium Root Beer
- Point Premium Diet Root Beer
- Point Premium Zero Sugar Root Beer
- Point Premium Vanilla Cream Soda
- Point Premium Black Cherry Cream Soda
- Point Premium Orange Cream Soda
- Point Premium Kitty Cocktail Soda