in 1996, pabst's entire beer production was contracted out to the stroh brewery company, which utilized excess capacity at the former flagship brewery of the g. heileman brewing company of la crosse, wisconsin it had absorbed earlier that year. in turn, the historic pabst brewery in milwaukee was closed, ending a 152-year association with the city and turning that company into a virtual brewer. in 1999, pabst purchased the stroh label, and the brewery in la crosse was sold to city brewing company. in 2001, production was contracted to miller brewing company, and by then what remained of the pabst company operated out of san antonio.