Bloomington, Ill. (November 21, 2025) – The McLean County Museum of History is partnering with Casper Brewing Company to create a pre-prohibition lager inspired by Bloomington's longest continuously operating brewery.

The Meyer Brewing Company produced kegs and bottles of beer from 1862 to 1920 where Highland Golf Course is today. The City of Bloomington purchased the land after the brewery closed due to the National Prohibition Act of 1919.

The forthcoming lager is modeled after Meyer’s “Extra Select” beer which was advertised as being “brewed exclusively for family use” in 1904. Archival documents and newspaper records from the Museum’s collections provided the context for Casper’s brew team to recreate the beer.

“Honestly, what better way to experience that history than to taste it?" says Museum Executive Director Julie Emig. "Our partnership with Casper Brewing puts our mission of collaboration, education, and preservation into action, all the while supporting local business and sharing the story of local immigrants whose creativity helped shape McLean County."

Exactly 92 years after the repeal of prohibition, folks will have the opportunity to try this lager for the first time on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the Museum's annual holiday open house, Christmas Under the Dome from 5 to 8 p.m., and at Casper Brewing Company from 2 to 11 p.m.

Christmas Under the Dome is a free event featuring live music, cookies, refreshments, crafts, and, this year, an exclusive beer tasting. Visitors who try the beer during the event will receive a special coupon redeemable at the Casper Tap House.

Casper will keep the Friday festivities rolling with more live music, food, and the new beer on tap until 11 p.m. The pre-prohibition lager will also be available to purchase in a 4-pack of 16 ounce cans from the brewery. After the initial launch, the beer will also be sold on tap at select restaurants and bars in Bloomington-Normal.

A portion of every beer sold will be donated back to the Museum to support the preservation of local history.

Please visit mchistory.org/beer for more information, or check out our media kit linked here.

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The McLean County Museum of History is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, educating, and collaborating to share the diverse stories of the people of McLean County. For more information, please visit mchistory.org or stop by our nationally accredited museum in the heart of historic downtown Bloomington, Illinois.