Brookston Beer Bulletin

Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Beer In Ads #4969: It Deserves First Prize

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Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. 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.

Wednesday’s ad is for Hornung’s White Bock Beer, which was published on May 14, 1936. This one was for the Jacob Hornung Brewing Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which was originally founded in 1885. This ad ran in The Ephrata Review, of Ephrata, Pennsylvania.

Beer Birthday: Brian Stechschulte

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Today is also the birthday of Brian Stechschulte, former executive director of the San Francisco Brewers Guild, who then worked for Speakeasy Ales & Lagers as their Public Relations & Media Director for a time, and since late 2017 had been the Director of Marketing for Drake’s Brewing, although most recently decided to step back from working, and is living in Indianapolis, Indiana. I’m just guessing at Brian’s age, but by my reckoning he’s got to be about 45 this year. In addition to his regular work, he also wrote online at All Over Beer and Bygone Beer. Brian wa a terrific ambassador for beer and a great addition to the industry, though I think we may have lost him, at least temporarily. I think of him as a kindred spirit. Please join me in wishing Brian a very happy birthday.

Brian and me with former San Francisco mayor, the late Ed Lee at the SF Beer Week opening gala a few years ago.
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Brian’s profile picture, used without permission but begged for here in the hopes that in the spirit of its use will be granted magnanimously.
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Bob Brewer, from Anchor Brewing, with Brian at GABF a couple of years ago.
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Brian after grad school graduation in 2003. Notice the can of beer he’s drinking. [Note: The first and last photos purloined from Brian’s Facebook friends, blame them.]

Beer Birthday: Dan Carey

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Today is the 65th birthday of Dan Carey, the mad alchemist brewer of New Glarus Brewing. I first met Dan at Hop School in Yakima, Washington many years ago, but I’ve been enjoying his beers far longer than that. He’s a fellow lover of brewing history and a terrific person, as well as one of the industry’s finest brewers. Join me in wishing Dan a very happy birthday.

Dan Carey, from New Glarus, and Me
Dan and me at GABF in 2010.
Two Dans: Daniel Bradford and Dan Carey at the Rare Beer Tasting 2009 at Wynkoop.

Beer Birthday: John Martin

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Today is the 65th birthday of John Martin, one of the founders of Triple Rock Brewery & Alehouse in Berkeley. John, with his brother Reid, started one of the first five brewpubs in the U.S., and the only one that’s still owned by the same family that founded it. John also owns Drake’s Brewing and the Jupiter Taproom, too. He’s active in the local beer community and also with the CCBA, plus he’s a great guy with a very distinctive laugh. Join me in wishing John a very happy birthday.

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Me and John last year at Sour Sunday several years ago.
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Christian Kazakoff, former brewer at Triple Rock (now at Canyon Club) with John during the 2008 Firkin Fest.
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John, with his brother Reid, and Triple Rock brewmaster Rodger Davs at the brewpub’s 25th anniversary.
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John, me and Peter Hoey at the opening gala for SF Beer Week a few years ago.
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John in the brewhouse with his brother many years ago, on opening day.

Beer In Ads #4968: Bock Beer At The Owl

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Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. 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.

Tuesday’s ad is for 5-¢ Bock Beer in “a glass drawn straight from the wood” and was published on May 13, 1933. This one was not for a specific brewery, but the Owl Cabaret and the A.B.W. Club, which was located in Mexicali, Mexico. This ad ran in The Imperial Valley Press, of El Centro, Canada.

Historic Beer Birthday: True W. Jones

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Today is the birthday of True William Jones (May 13, 1814- October 2, 1899). He as born in New Hampshire, and was the brother of Frank Jones, who also had a prominent New Hampshire brewery. True Jones either founded the New Hampshire Brewing Co. of Manchester, New Hampshire in 1879 and then changed its name to the True W. Jones Brewery in 1891, or bought it at that time. In either case, it closed in 1917 due to Prohibition and did not reopen afterwards, which makes sense since he died in 1899.

Here is his obituary from the Manchester Herald on October 3, 1899:

And this obit ran in the Boston Globe:

And interestingly, shortly before Prohibition ended, but 11 years after the brewery closed, they auctioned off the brewery equipment and land.

Historic Beer Birthday: Jacob Adams

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Today is the birthday of Jacob Adams (May 13, 1837-July 21, 1909). Born Jacob Adami, in Germany, he moved with his family to San Francisco in 1860. He bought the San Francisco Brewery in 1874, renaming it the Broadway Brewery.

Here’s a short biography from Find a Grave:

Johanas Adami [Adams] and family emigrated from Germany in 1860 to San Francisco and formed a brewery partnership. Johanas’ son, Jacob Adams, formally established the Broadway Brewery at 637 Broadway and Stockton St. in 1874. The brewery burned down in 1885, but was rebuilt at a new location on the corner of Treat Ave. & 19th St. Jacob died in 1909 and his son George C. Adams became president of the brewery. In 1916 another son, William F. Adams, became one of the directors of the newly formed California Brewing Association. During Prohibition William was working at Acme’s Fulton plant, (dba) the Cereal Products Refining Corporation, with JP Rettenmayer and Karl Schuster. In the 30’s & 40’s William held the position of Secretary for Acme Breweries in both SF and LA. He and his brother Edward J. Adams were Acme shareholders and also ran Acme’s Oakland distribution depot.

This account is from Bill Yenne’s “San Francisco Beer: A History of Brewing by the Bay:”

From Page 23.
From Page 41.

This story about a potential crime by one of the brewery employees, a family member no less, is from the San Francisco Call on February 5, 1898.

Brewery Gems also has a more thorough history of both Jacob Adams and the Broadway Brewery in San Francisco from 1862 to 1917, when it closed.

Beer Birthday: Eric Warner

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Today is the 60th birthday — The Big 6-O — of Eric Warner. Eric founded Tabernash Brewing in Colorado, and later ran Flying Dog Brewing, until they moved their operations to Maryland. He’s also the author of two brewing books, German Wheat Beer and Kolsch: History, Brewing Techniques, Recipes. More recently, he moved to Houston to be the brewmaster (although his official title is “Yeast Rancher”) at Karbach Brewing. I first met Eric at Tabernash a million years ago, and several times since then, but most recently during World Beer Cup judging this year. Join me in wishing Eric a very happy birthday.

Eric and I at Cellar West Brewing in Colorado.
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Eric sitting for a local Texas magazine, 022Houston, about Menspiration.


Historic Beer Birthday: Henry Uihlein

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Today is the birthday of Henry Uihlein (May 13, 1844-April 22, 1922). He was born in Bavaria, but moved to the U.S. when he was eighteen, in 1862, having learned the brewing trade in Germany. He joined his uncle, August Krug, and his brothers, working for the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company. He was president of Schlitz from 1875 until he retired in 1916.

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This is the only photo I could find of Henry, in this Uihlein family photo from the early 1880’s – bottom row, from left; Charles, superintendent of the bottling works; Edward, vice president in charge of developing the Chicago markets; Henry, president. Top row, from left; William J., assistant superintendent of the brewery; Alfred, superintendent and brewmaster; August, secretary and chief operating officer.

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This Schlitz ad is from around 1900, when Henry was president of the brewery.

This is the Google translation of his German Wikipedia page:

Henry Uihlein was the second eldest of six sons of Joseph Benedict Ühlein and his wife Katharina Krug born in Wertheim, the restaurant, the Gasthaus zur Krone operated.

In Bavaria, Henry Uihlein learned the brewing trade before emigrating to the United States in 1862. There he worked for several years for various breweries in St. Louis and for the Kunz Brewing Company in Leavenworth. In 1871 he moved to Milwaukee and began working with his brothers August, Alfred and Edward for the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company. Henry’s brewing expertise contributed significantly to the company’s success. He led the company between 1875 and 1916 as president. He also worked in finance, real estate and other industries.

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This is Uihlein’s obituary from the Beverage Journal (f.k.a. The Western Brewer) from 1922:

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Historic Beer Birthday: Christian Moerlein

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Today is the birthday of Christian Moerlein (May 13, 1818-May 14, 1897). Moerlein was born in Bavaria, and came to America around 1840, establishing the Christian Moerlein Brewery in 1853.

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Here’s a short biography from Find a Grave:

Brewer. Born in Truppach, Bayreuth, Oberfranken, Bayern, Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1841 settling in Cincinnati, Ohio a year later. Christian married his first wife Sophia Adam in 1843 and had three children with her. After losing Sophia and 2 of those children to the cholera epidemics of the time, he married his second wife Barbara Oeh in 1849 and had another 9 children. In 1853 Moerlein established a brewery bearing his name in Cincinnati and became the most prominent brewer in that city. The brewery became one of the largest in the country and remained in operation until Prohibition. Today a line of beer is again being marketed under his name.

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Here’s what the early 20th century book “One Hundred Years of Brewing” wrote about Christian Moerlein:

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Digging Cincinnati History has a nice post about where all the Moerlein buildings are today, along with some history of the brewery. In 2004, local resident Greg Hardman bought the Christian Moerlein brand and continues to operate it as Christian Moerlein lagers & Ales, and also opened the Moerlein Lager House, where they serve food and house beers.