In 1937, Arlo Shirk and his father Edward Shirk purchased a small confectionery shop in downtown Bloomington, Illinois.  One of the products was called "Redskins" peanuts.

In 1950, Russell Shirk (Arlo's brother) packaged the first bag of Redskins for a local liquor store. He called them, "Shirk's Glazed Peanuts."

In 1953, the name was changed to BEER NUTS and distribution began around the United States.

Today, BEER NUTS still uses the same 1937 formula for its special niche of products. All products are still made here in Bloomington, Illinois, at a single, 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. While it is no longer on Route 66, it's only a few blocks away from its roots.

You can stop by the Company Store, try their products, and take a video tour of the plant.