Today is the birthday of Louis Bergdoll Sr. (July 21, 1825-August 18, 1894). He was born in Sinsheim, Rhein-Neckar-Kreis, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. He trained there as a brewer, and emigrated to the U.S. when he was 21, in 1846, arriving in New York City. He settled in Philadelphia, and in 1849 founded the Bergdoll & Schema Brewery, with a partner, Peter Schema. That partnership apperas to have lasted two years, and then a new partner, Johann Carl “Charles” Psotta, came on board for the next twenty-five years. After 1876 it appears to be owned by Bergdoll alone, known as the Louis Bergdoll Brewery, and also trading under the name “City Brewery,” and possibly until it was closed by prohibition in 1920.
Louis Bergdoll Sr. was born on July 21, 1825, in Sinsheim near Heidelberg in Baden, Germany, the son of Johann Georg Bergdoll and Catharina Schneider. He learned the brewing trade in his native Germany during a period when Bavarian-style lager beer production was spreading throughout the German states and transforming the brewing industry. Seeking greater opportunity in America, he immigrated to the United States in 1846, arriving at Castle Garden in New York aboard the ship Doris on June 27 of that year before eventually settling in Philadelphia among the city’s rapidly growing German immigrant community.
Only a few years after his arrival, Bergdoll entered the Philadelphia brewing industry. In 1849 he established a brewery at 508 Vine Street in partnership with Peter Schemm under the name Bergdoll & Schemm. The venture proved successful, and after Schemm withdrew from the business, Bergdoll partnered with Charles Psotta, reorganizing the company as Bergdoll & Psotta. During the mid-nineteenth century Philadelphia emerged as one of the leading brewing centers in the United States, largely through the influence of German immigrants who introduced lager beer and German brewing methods to the city. Bergdoll became one of the important figures in that transformation.
In 1856 the firm relocated to a far larger site near Fairmount Park between North 28th and 29th Streets in what later became known as Brewerytown. The new complex became known as the City Park Brewery. The location was chosen for its proximity to excellent water sources and expanding transportation networks, both essential to large-scale lager beer production. Over the following decades the brewery expanded into one of Philadelphia’s major brewing operations, with extensive brew houses, malt houses, storage buildings, stables, and bottling facilities occupying a substantial portion of the neighborhood.
As Philadelphia’s taste increasingly turned toward lager beer during the nineteenth century, the Bergdoll brewery gained a strong regional reputation. The brewery became one of the industrial foundations of Brewerytown, the section of Philadelphia that grew into one of America’s great brewing districts. The success of the enterprise brought Bergdoll considerable wealth and established the Bergdoll family among Philadelphia’s prominent German-American business families.
In 1881 the business incorporated as the Louis Bergdoll Brewing Company, with Bergdoll serving as president while members of his family assumed important positions within the operation. By this period the brewery ranked among the city’s best-known lager beer producers. The Bergdoll name became closely associated with Philadelphia brewing for generations, and the family’s influence continued well into the twentieth century.
Outside the brewing industry, Bergdoll invested heavily in Philadelphia real estate, particularly in the Fairmount section of the city near his brewery operations. He developed numerous residential properties and became a substantial property owner. The prosperity generated through the brewing business allowed the family to construct several notable residences associated with the Bergdoll name, including the impressive Louis Bergdoll House and the later Bergdoll Mansion, both of which survive as important reminders of Philadelphia’s brewing era and German-American industrial wealth.
Bergdoll was also active in charitable and civic causes within Philadelphia’s German-American community. He supported the German Hospital, later known as Lankenau Hospital, the Little Sisters of the Poor, and Salem Reformed German Church. His philanthropy reflected both his prosperity and his continuing ties to the city’s German immigrant institutions.
He married Elizabeth Wolf, and together they raised a family whose descendants remained prominent in Philadelphia society and business circles. Several of his children and extended family members later became involved in the family brewing enterprise and associated business interests.
Louis Bergdoll Sr. died at his home in Philadelphia’s Fairmount section on August 10, 1894, at the age of sixty-nine. He was buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. Portions of the former City Park Brewery complex still stand in Philadelphia today as enduring reminders of the city’s once vast brewing industry and of the German immigrant entrepreneurs who helped build it.
Here’s an obituary of Bergdoll from the Philadelphia Inquirer:
Today would have been Alec Moss’ 82nd birthday, but unfortunately he passed away in early September several years ago. I first got to know Alec when I worked with him on some private label contract beers I did for BevMo when he was head brewer at the now-defunct Golden Pacific Brewery in Berkeley. Alec then spent some time at Redbird Brewing before moving to the coast to be head brewer at the picturesque Half Moon Bay Brewing, but he retired several years ago, although he was coaxed back for a time to work part-time for Anchor Brewing, building them a pilot system. Every time I saw him he seemed to be enjoying his retirement enormously, but then he unexpectedly fell ill. Join me in drinking a toast to Alec’s memory tonight.
Alec and me yesterday at his 70th birthday party at the Tornado.
Alec at GABF in 2005.
Grant Johnston and Alec in Seattle during CBC there in 2006.
Alec in the brewhouse at Half Moon Bay Brewing Co.
At the Toronado for He’Brew’s release party. From left: Alec, Pete Slosberg, formerly of Pete’s Wicked Ales, Jeremy Cowan of Shmaltz Brewing and Rodger Davis, then with Triple Rock Brewing.
Alec with Tom Dalldorf at the 2011 Anchor Christmas party.
Several years ago at the Breastfest in San Francisco, from left: Alec, Jeff Botz, Arne Johnson, Betsey Hensley, Vinnie & Natalie Cilurzo and Abalone Rob Mika.
Two years ago I decided to concentrate on Bock ads for awhile. Bock, of course, may have originated in Germany, in the town of Einbeck. Because many 19th century American breweries were founded by German immigrants, they offered a bock at certain times of the year, be it Spring, Easter, Lent, Christmas, or what have you. In a sense they were some of the first seasonal beers. “The style was later adopted in Bavaria by Munich brewers in the 17th century. Due to their Bavarian accent, citizens of Munich pronounced ‘Einbeck’ as ‘ein Bock’ (a billy goat), and thus the beer became known as ‘Bock.’ A goat often appears on bottle labels.” And presumably because they were special releases, many breweries went all out promoting them with beautiful artwork on posters and other advertising. With Spring approaching, there are so many great examples that I’m going to post two a day for a few months.
Tuesday’s poster was created for Tigre Bock, which was published in the 1920s. This poster was made for the Brasserie de Kronenbourg, which was originally founded in 1664 by Geronimus Hatt in Strasbourg, France. The art was created by the Imprimerie Joseph-Charles printing house of Paris, France.
Today is the birthday of Peter Adolph Schemm (July 20, 1852-June 6, 1909). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Peter Schemm, who founded the Peter Schemm Brewery. When Peter A. began working at his father’s brewery, it was renamed the Peter Schemm & Son Brewery, or the Peter Schemm & Son Lager Brewery.
Here’s his very short biography from Find-a-Grave:
Was a ‘Gentleman’ and had taken over the brewery of his father- Peter Schemm Brewery in Philadelphia. He was also an extensive collector of paintings and was a lover of books.
The Peter Schemm & Son Brewery located at North 25th Street near Poplar in Philadelphia.
In 1885, Peter A. Schemm, Peter’s only son, joined the business, and the elder Peter gradually relinquished active management. His eyesight was beginning to fail, but even so, he maintained his daily practice of visiting the brewery two or three times every day, stroll up to Massholder’s saloon, a few doors above the brewery and sit with three or four old friends, and every day took his own carriage and driver (rather than using the carriage of his family) to meet with an old friend and stop by the brewery to be sure the beer was not too cold and had been properly drawn. In 1895, the contracting firm of Philip Halbach was engaged to add a large stock house to the Peter Schemm & Son brewery at a cost of $30,000.
Today is the birthday of Louis Hudepohl (July 20, 1842-April 27, 1902). Originally born as Ludwig Hudepohl II, he and partner George H. Kotte bought the Buckeye Brewery of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1885, calling it the Kotte & Hudepohl Brewery, though it was later known as the Hudepohl Brewing Company in in 1885. “Hudepohl was the son of Bavarian immigrants and had worked in the surgical tool business before starting his brewery. Hudepohl combined with the Schoenling Brewing Company in 1986.”
Here’s an account from Queen City History:
Louis Hudepohl (born Ludwig Hudepohl II) had a business model that would raise a few eyebrows in modern state regulatory agencies. He had a combination real estate office and liquor store on Main Street. The real estate thing must not have worked out because his business was listed solely as a wholesale liquor store a few years later; but he definitely had a bright future in the alcoholic beverage industry. Along with his partner George Kotte, Hudepohl sold the liquor store on Main and bought a fledgling brewery on Buckeye Street (now East Clifton) in 1885. Born in Cincinnati by German immigrant parents, Hudepohl would become the first American-born member of Cincinnati’s great pre-Prohibition beer barons. Although Louis Hudepohl died in 1902, his family-run brewery also bridged another generational gap: The Hudepohl Brewing Company was only one of four Cincinnati breweries to survive Prohibition. As the last to still be brewing near beer, the Bruckmann Brewing Company was the only Cincinnati brewery poised to immediately return to production of real beer. Hudepohl, Foss-Schnieder, and Schaller also resumed operations within a few months, and under their pre-Prohibition names. Within a year, these breweries were followed by a series of others that breathed new life into pre-Prohibition breweries.
And another from Peared Creation:
Louis Hudepohl and his wife, Agnes, made their home in Cincinnati in 1838 after emigrating from Germany. Hudepohl met a business partner by the name of George H. Kotte and the two started a wholesale liquor store near Main and Ninth Street. In 1842 Louis had a son, Louis Hudepohl II, that would grow up to be a major player in Cincinnati brewing. He was initially trained in surgical tools but his lack of interest in the work prompted a move to his father’s liquor store at the age of 24.
Hudepohl II resumed partnership with Kotte, during which Hudepohl Sr. passed away in 1881. It was in 1885 that the new partners sold their store and bought the brewery on East McKinnon and 105/125 Clifton Avenues. The facility had a long history of brewering as it was used by Gottfried & Henry Koehler for 20 years, and then by Kaufmann Brewing Co. from 1883-1885. The duo encountered much success and raised production from 25,000 to 40,000 barrels in only their first year. By 1890 the brewery had more than 5 brands of beer and 100 employees. As the brands and barrels grew, the partners hired brewery architect Fredrick Wolf to design their expansion. Kotte’s death in 1899 prompted the renaming to Hudepohl Brewing Co. The same year, Louis introduced “Golden Jubilee” which became a craving among beer lovers across the region.
Of course the prohibition shut down brewery operations in 1919 but while many other breweries failed to adapt, the Hudepohl brand remained a constant in the market with their near beer and sodas. The near-beer was one half of 1 percent alcohol which they sold individually as well as mixed with a concoction of ginger ale which they called a Dutch Cocktail. After the Prohibition was lifted off, Hudepohl resumed his famous beer making. In fact he was one of the three brands including, Foss-Schneider and Schaller, who were able to reemerge after the prohibition. Following incessant demand for the Hudepohl brands the company purchased the Lackman Brewing Co. in order to increase production in 1934.
By the mid 1980s, Hudepohl was producing 100,000 barrels per year, making Hudepohl and beer synonymous in the tri-state area. Hudy Delight, introduced in 1978 became their star beer along with The Christian Moerlein Cincinnati Select Lager introduced in 1981. The beer, named after famous Cincinnati pre-prohibition brewer, had more flavor and a deep, rich golden color. Hudepohl manufactured 14 other beers including Hudepohl Bock, Hudepohl Beer, Chevy Ale, Old 85 Ale, Burger Light, Hudepohl Gold, and Hudepohl Oktoberfest to name a few. Hudepohl’s 100th anniversary was celebrated in 1985 when it was under the presidency of Bob Pohl. He was in need for an investor when Schoenling Brewing Company took over the business on the decline. The company operated as Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewing Company in the same Hudepohl facility until it was moved to Schoenling facility.
This biography appeared in the History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio, published in 1894.
Louis Hudepohl later in life, enjoying life as a local celebrity.
Sarah Stephens had this to say about Hudepohl in Cincinnati’s Brewing History:
Today is my friend Arne Johnson’s 61st birthday. Arne was the head brewer at Marin Brewing in Larkspur, California, until it closed last year, and then was brewing at their sister brewery in Novato, Moylan’s Brewing, until Brendan closed that, as well, not too long ago. Arne makes some great beers and is a terrific person to boot. And he and some friends opened The Cooler in San Leandro, though that’s also been closed recently. More recently, Arne is brewing at the Rockaway Beach Brewery in Pacifica. Join me in wishing Arne a very happy birthday.
Me and Arne during the last week at Marin Brewing.
Me, Craig Cauwels, Arne and Bets.
Arne and me a few years ago at a birthday party for a mutual friend at the Toronado.
Arne Johnson and Melissa Myers, formerly with Drake’s Brewing, at the Boonville Beer Festival.
Arne, Greg Koch, and an unknown brewer giving Arne bunny ears at GABF in 2009.
Arne relaxing with a few barleywines at the Toronado Barleywine Festival.
Rodger Davis of Faction and Arne enjoy a beer out front in the warm sunshine at the Bistro’s Double IPA Festival in 2006.
Arne and me at the Brewer’s Dinner at GABF in 2006.
Today is the 69th birthday of George Reisch, who’s now retired as the brewmaster of Anheuser-Busch. George had worked for A-B since 1979, but his family roots in brewing run far deeper. His great-great-great-grandfather Franz Sales Reisch founded the Reisch Brewing Co. in 1849, in the city of Springfield, Illinois, which operated until 1966. I have had the pleasure of judging at both GABF and the World Beer Cup over the years with George, and he’s an amazing person. Join me wishing George a very happy birthday.
At World Beer Cup judging in Minneapolis.
Lester Jones, currently with the NBWA, and George at GABF in 2009.
At CBC in Nashville, TN, Pete Slosberg, Marty Velas, George and Mitch Steele waiting for our amazing Uber-Tuber Hand Cut Fries at the Riverside Grillshack Fries and Burgers.
George drinking a beer behind a beautiful skyline and rocking his medal (the one they give you in Belgium when the Brewer’s Guild there knights you).
Two years ago I decided to concentrate on Bock ads for awhile. Bock, of course, may have originated in Germany, in the town of Einbeck. Because many 19th century American breweries were founded by German immigrants, they offered a bock at certain times of the year, be it Spring, Easter, Lent, Christmas, or what have you. In a sense they were some of the first seasonal beers. “The style was later adopted in Bavaria by Munich brewers in the 17th century. Due to their Bavarian accent, citizens of Munich pronounced ‘Einbeck’ as ‘ein Bock’ (a billy goat), and thus the beer became known as ‘Bock.’ A goat often appears on bottle labels.” And presumably because they were special releases, many breweries went all out promoting them with beautiful artwork on posters and other advertising. With Spring approaching, there are so many great examples that I’m going to post two a day for a few months.
Sunday’s ad is for Eagle Bock Beer, which was published on July 19, 1877. This ad was for the Eagle Brewery, formerly known as the Old Rogner Brewery, of Indiana, Pennsylvania, which was originally founded in 1875, but lasted only two years under the ownership of John Rogner. It appears to have continued as the Eagle Brewery by Ignatius Krug, but I couldn’t find any additional information about the brewery. This ad ran in the Indiana Democrat, also of Indiana, Pennsylvania.
Today is the birthday of English beer writer Adrian Tierney-Jones. Adrian’s written several beer books, and writes online at Called to the Bar. I first got to know him when he was the editor for 1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die, to which I contributed around two-dozen entries. I’ve also seen Adrian at events in London and Belgium since then, and he’s a great person to share a pint with. Join me in wishing Adrian a very happy birthday.
Having another pint.
In Leuven for the Brussels Beer Challenge a few years ago: Adrian, with fellow Brits Tim Hampson, Tim Webb and Pete Brown.
Me and Adrian having a beer and a chat in Belgium in 2014.
Brussels 2015, from left: Me, Stephen Beaumont, Pete Brown, Yuri Katunin and Adrian.
Visiting Brassiere De La Senne in Brussels with a group after Brussels Beer Challenge judging..
Judging in Brussels in 2016.
[Note: first and third photos purloined from Facebook.]
Today is the 66th birthday of Peter Aldred, who is the Senior Lecturer and Program Coordinator of the Brewing Program at the Federation University. I first met Peter when he was teaching at UC Davis for a few months in 2011, and he delivered some AIBA awards to Moylan’s. Last year, we judged together at the AIBA awards in Melbourne, and took a trip to Ballarat, where he teaches brewing. Join me in wishing Peter a very happy birthday.
Peter at Moylan’s in Novato to present the Australian International Beer Awards Trophy to Brewmaster Denise Jones and Owner Brendan Moylan.
Peter (second from the left) with a number of the foreign judges during a dinner in Ballarat for the AIBA in 2014, including me in the back right.
