The Milwaukee Brewers are having a season to remember. With clutch hitting, lights-out pitching and fans cheering them all the way, this playoff run has Wisconsin buzzing. Have you ever wondered why Milwaukee’s baseball team is called the Brewers? The answer isn’t just about beer and Wisconsin tailgate foods. It’s about farming, food and the agricultural roots that run deep in Wisconsin.
How did the Brewers get their name?
Milwaukee has long been known as the “beer capital of the world.” In the late 1800s, German immigrants brought their brewing traditions to the city, founding breweries like Pabst, Schlitz and Miller. Those immigrants were also farmers, raising barley, wheat and hops needed to make their signature lagers. Naming the team the Brewers was a nod to this proud tradition, honoring the craftsmanship that helped put Milwaukee on the map. Milwaukee was built on brewing and brewing is built on farming.
Beer starts on the farm
When you think of beer, you might picture an ice-cold can at the ballpark. Before it ever reaches the tap, beer begins on the farm. Breweries rely on barley for malt, hops for flavor and clean water to bring it all together. Wisconsin has a long history of barley production, and today, small hop farms are popping up across the state to meet the needs of craft brewers. Without farmers, there would be no Brewers.
What is classic Wisconsin tailgate food for baseball games?
Enjoying a cold beer isn’t the only connection to agriculture at a Brewers game; many of the food items you enjoy at the ballpark can be traced back to a family farm! From brats to beer, Wisconsin tailgate foods connect fans to the state’s agriculture.
Sartori cheeses come from local Wisconsin dairies, producing flavors like BellaVitano and Asiago. Johnsonville brats are made with pork from Wisconsin farms and Silver Floss sauerkraut uses cabbage grown right in the state. Even Lay’s chips at your tailgate start as Wisconsin-grown potatoes before heading to plants across the region.
Wisconsin farmers and processors make an all-star team. Our state’s farms grow the potatoes, raise the hogs and produce the milk that go into these foods, while local processors turn those raw ingredients into products ready for tailgates and ballparks.
October in Wisconsin
It’s fitting that the Brewers’ playoff run happens in October. Farmers are harvesting crops just as the Brewers are chasing postseason glory. Both require precision, patience and dedication. Whether on the field or in the field, Wisconsin knows how to finish strong. Enjoy Wisconsin tailgate food and celebrate our state’s farmers as you cheer on the Brewers this postseason!