Unissued 1880s Phillip Best Brewing Co. Stock Certificate – Now Pabst

This is a scarce, unissued stock certificate from the storied Phillip Best Brewing Company, a cornerstone of Milwaukee’s brewing heritage. This rare 1880s document is in excellent condition and features the classic Milwaukee brewery in the vignette, reflecting the lineage from Empire Brewery to Best Brewing Company and, later, the famed Pabst Brewing lineage.

Key Highlights

• Rarity: Scarce, unissued stock certificate from the 1880s
• Condition: Excellent
• Vignette: Milwaukee-era brewery scene
• Historical Tie: Roots of Empire Brewery, Phillip Best Brewery, and the Pabst Brewing Company

Historical Context & Provenance

This certificate traces Milwaukee’s brewing dynasty—from Jacob Best’s Empire Brewery on Chestnut Street Hill to Best & Company, Phillip Best Brewing, and the eventual transformation into Pabst Brewing Company. The lineage includes notable figures such as Phillip Best, Jacob Best Jr., and Charles Best, along with Margaretha Best’s ties to The Wisconsin Banner and Moritz Schoeffler. By the late 19th century, Phillip Best Brewing Co. stood as the nation’s largest brewer, cementing Milwaukee’s place in American brewing history.

Display & Collectibility

• Unique artifact connecting Milwaukee’s brewing heritage and American industrial history
• Ideal for display in offices, libraries, bars, museums, or finance-history collections
• Excellent conversation starter for collectors focused on brewing, branding, and regional history

Specifications