The nation’s third oldest brewery will finally have a museum exhibit to tell its story. The Stevens Point Brewery, founded in 1857, has partnered with the UW – Stevens Point Museum of Natural History to launch Point Brewery: History on Tap to tell their story and exhibit artifacts that have only recently been made available to the public.

“About four years ago we discovered a treasure trove of objects and documents hidden away in a corner of the brewery,” says Point Brewery Marketing Director Julie Birenkott, “We’re so excited that these items can be used to tell the brewery’s story.” The items were donated to the Portage County Historical Society archives held at UWSP and include the brewery’s ledger from Prohibition, rare signage, and various cans and bottles.

UWSP Museum of Natural History Director Dr. Sarah Scripps points to the educational value of the exhibit saying, “Students and the public alike will learn not only about the history of one of Stevens Point’s most important businesses, but also the science of fermentation.”

To curate the exhibit, UWSP alumnus John Harry was brought on board. Harry, a former local radio personality, recently completed his master’s degree in public history at UW-Milwaukee. During his time in graduate school, he interned at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History with the institution’s curator of beer and brewing. He also authored a pictorial history of Point Brewery in 2019 which is available through Arcadia Publishing.

The exhibit will run at the UWSP Museum of Natural History from December 10, 2021, until the end of April 2022. An exhibit opening event will take place on December 10 featuring a Point Brewery product tasting, and a unique panel discussion experience, “The History and Science of Point Beer,” with past and current members of Point Brewery staff who will talk about daily life and work at the brewery and the science behind their award-winning products.