The Fauerbach Brewing Company of Madison, Wisconsin was begun in 1868 by Peter Fauerbach when he purchased the Sprecher Brewery on Williamson Street. The Sprecher Brewery was the oldest brewery in Madison, founded in 1848 by Peter Sprecher. Fauerbach and his wife, the former Maria Haertel, had begun in the brewery business in Portage, Wisconsin. There, Peter Fauerbach worked with Maria's brother, Karl Haertel, in his brewery. In 1862, the family moved to New Lisbon, Wisconsin, where Peter joined with his brother-in-law Henry Bierbauer in the operation of the New Lisbon Brewery. The Fauerbachs remained in New Lisbon until 1868 when they moved to Madison and purchased the Sprecher Brewery. Peter operated the brewery until his death on April 12, 1891. At that time, the company was incorporated and the stock was divided between Maria and three of her sons: Louis, Philip, and Henry. Louis Fauerbach served as president until his death in 1925. He was succeeded by Henry as president. The brewery remained as a family-run enterprise until its dissolution on July 28, 1966. The plant at 651 Williamson Street was partially damaged by a fire in April, 1900. In 1929 the brewery expanded to include a soft drink manufacture and bottling franchise. When the company was dissolved, its machinery, furniture, and merchandise, as well as its Pepsi-Cola franchise were sold to the Malmbro Bottling Company, Inc.
