By today's standards, it may be hard to believe that in 1854, Fond du Lac's local newspaper would describe Appleton as a "puritan" village. However, Appleton at the time was an emerging community dominated by "Yankee" Methodists. That puritan conviction did not allow the selling or brewing of intoxicating beverages within the confines of the city. Among the first Irish and German immigrants to settle in the area and build the Fox River canal system was Anton Fischer. He built the first brewery in Outagamie County located across the river on Menasha Road (the current Between The Locks building, home of the new Appleton Brewing Co.) in 1858. Although Appleton was a puritan village, it did not prevent its citizens from enjoying the beers and fine Sunday gemutlichhkeit the brewery provided. Carl Muench, a young foreman from the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co., and a resident of the United States for only ten years, purchased the Fischer brewery in 1860 and expanded the facility by adding a third story and the popular outdoor beer garden that became an "institution" in Appleton, according to the citizens.
In 1862, Carl's brother, George Muench, builds a brewery on the corner of Walnut and Lawrence Streets in Appleton with the support of the community leaders. Entrepreneurs by the name of Wing and Frise, purchase the Walnut Street brewery from George. George then joins his brother Carl at the South Oneida Street brewery. In 1890, George Walter, a foreman at the Meunch brewery, purchases the Walnut Street brewery from Frise after his partner, Wing, retires. Appleton's George Walter Brewery begins production with Mr. Walter continuing to run the brewery until his death in 1899.
The George Walter Brewery on Walnut Street continues to grow and prosper. In 1918, the Walter Brewery purchases the Muench Brewery on South Oneida Street. The combined efforts of the breweries help to make Adler Brau, or Eagle Brew, the most popular beer in the Fox Cities area. Prohibition ceases the activities of both breweries even though the George Walter and Muench Breweries had raised substantial funds for the world war effort.
The George Walter Brewery on Walnut Street stopped production of Adler Brau and closed its doors in 1972. The Walnut Street building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places was torn down in 1974 to make way for the Appleton Police Station.
The Muench Brewery on South Oneida Street, rebuilt after a fire in 1884 was remodeled in 1978 to become the "Between The Locks" shopping mall. Now the home of the Appleton Brewing Company,which opened in July 1989, the old South Oneida Street brewery is again brewing fine domestic beers. Adler Brau light, Pilsner, Amber All Malt, Stout, Pale Ale, etc. and a variety of specialty beers will be available exclusively at Dos Bandidos Brew Pub and Restaurant and Johnny O's Pizzeria and Brew Pub.