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Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Historic Beer Birthday: Jacob Leinenkugel Jr.

December 5, 2025 By Jay Brooks

leinenkugel
Today is the birthday of Jacob Leinenkugel Jr. (December 5, 1893-February 12, 1935). He is the son of Jacob Leinenkugel, who in 1867, along with John Miller, co-founded the Spring Brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. In 1884, Jacob bought out Miller and the name was changed to the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. Miller Brewing Co. bought the brewery in 1988, but it continues to be managed by the Leinenkugel family.

Jacob-Leinenkugel-family-1842
Jacob Leinenkugel and his family, though I’m not sure which son is junior.

Here’s a short biography from Find-a-Grave:

Jacob Mathias Leinenkugel, son of Mathias Jacob Leinenkugel and Kathryn M Watzl was born 5 Dec 1893 in Chippewa Falls, Chippewa Co, Wis. His birth was recorded in Vol H page 219 of the Chippewa County Court House records.

Jacob was son of THE Jacob Leinenkugel of the brewery family.

He was the second of three children of Mathias and Kathryn. He became an attorney. He also served during WWI in the US Army.

Jacob went to Arizona due to health reasons and died in Tucson, Pima, Arizona at age 41 on 12 Feb 1935.

Jacob and Ethel had 2 sons: John William Leinenkugel and James Mathias Leinenkugel.

It appears that junior wasn’t too involved in brewery operations, though he may have done legal work for the business. Late in his short life, his health turned poor, and he and his family moved to Arizona for the climate, but he died not too long after the move, when he was only 41.

Leinenkugels-125th-Anniversary-Serving-Trays-10-16-inches-Jacob-Leinenkugel-Tray-1

Filed Under: Birthdays, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: History, Wisconsin

Historic Beer Birthday: Henry Bartholomay

December 5, 2025 By Jay Brooks

bartholomay-brewing
Today is the birthday of Henry Bartholomay (1829-September 3, 1906). He was born in Frankfurt, Germany, into a brewing family. In 1850 he came to America and two years later, in 1852, he opened the Phillip Will and Henry Bartholomay Brewery in Rochester, New York. Five years later he bought out his partner, and in 1857 it became known as the Henry Bartholomay Brewery, and later was called the Bartholomay Brewing Co. The brewery survived prohibition by making ice cream, but closed a year after reopening after it was repealed, in 1934.

This biography is from the “Rochester and the Post Express; A history of the City of Rochester from the earliest times; the pioneers and their predecessors, frontier life in the Genesee country, biographical sketches; with a record of the Post Express,” compiled by John Devoy, and published in 1895:

Henry Bartholomay, founder of the Bartholomay Brewery company, and perhaps the best known brewer in America, was born at Frankfort, Germany, December 5, 1829, and received his education at Heidelberg. His ancestors were brewers and he engaged in the brewing business at an early age, and was manager of several breweries before he attained his majority. In 1850 he came to this city and in company with the late Philip Will began brewing lager beer. The first beer from their brewery was sold December 7, 1852. The product of the plant that year was 300 barrels; it is now 600,000 barrels. The partnership between Messrs. Bartholomay and Will continued for several years, and on its termination Mr. Bartholomay organized the Bartholomay Brewery company, which is now universally known as one of the most successful in the world. The brewery is of itself a monument to its founder; situated on the east bank of the Genesee River at the angle formed by the junction of St. Paul street and Vincent place, it is the largest in Rochester, and has no superior in equipment in any part of the world. Mr. Bartholomay has every reason to be satisfied with the result of his enterprise and industry. His success in business has been most marked and he enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.

bartholomay-brauerei

bartholomay-apollo

And this obituary is from the “Western Brewer and Journal of the Barley Malt and Hop Trades” for 1906:

And here’s another short obituary from the American Brewer:

bartholomay-tray

Bartholomay-history

This history of the Bartholomay Brewing Co. is from “A History of the Brewery and Liquor Industry of Rochester, N.Y.,” published in 1907:

bartholomay-brewing-co-exhibit-ad
This image and the next two are from the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago.
bartholomay-brewing-co-exhibit-1893

bartholomay-brewing-co

And this history of the brewery was published in “100 Years of Brewing.”

Bartholomay-poster

Filed Under: Birthdays, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: History, New York

Beer In Ads #5132: Arriving For Christmas! Gem Bock Beer

December 4, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last year 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.

Thursday’s ad is for Gem Bock Beer, which was published on December 4, 1950. This ad was for the Walter Bros. Brewing Co. of Menasha, Wisconsin, which was originally founded as the Island City Brewery in 1860. It became known as Walter Bros. in 1933 after prohibition, although the brothers had been involved in the brewery since 1888. This ad ran in The Post Crescent, from Appleton, Wisconsin.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, History, Wisconsin

Beer Birthday: Christian DeBenedetti

December 4, 2025 By Jay Brooks

wolves-people
Today is the 52nd birthday of fellow beer writer and brewery owner Christian DeBenedetti. In 2011, he wrote The Great American Ale Trail and you can check out a lot of his other work online. His latest project is his brewery on his family’s property, Springbrook Farm, and it’s called the Wolves & People Farmhouse Brewery, which opened in 2016. Join me in wishing Christian a very happy birthday.

DSCN3592
Christian with Stephen Beaumont at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting in 2013.
DeBenedetti-6
With Vinnie Cilurzo in the barrel room during a visit to Russian River Brewing.
DeBenedetti-4
With Charlie Papazian at GABF.
DeBenedetti-7
With Jim Koch at Ale House at Amato’s for the book release party for the Great American Ale Trail, during GABF in 2011.
DeBenedetti-10
In front of the brewhouse at Wolves & People Farmhouse Brewery, his brewery.

Filed Under: Birthdays, Breweries Tagged With: Oregon

Beer In Ads #5131: Gem Bock Beer Mighty Good This Time Th’ Year

December 3, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last year 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.

Wednesday’s ad is for Gem Bock Beer, which was published on December 3, 1951. This ad was for the Walter Bros. Brewing Co. of Menasha, Wisconsin, which was originally founded as the Island City Brewery in 1860. It became known as Walter Bros. in 1933 after prohibition, although the brothers had been involved in the brewery since 1888. This ad ran in The Post Crescent, from Appleton, Wisconsin. I love their tagline, that “Santa Says: Mighty Good This Time Th’ Year.”

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, History, Wisconsin

Beer In Ads #5130: Bishop And Smitty Says Bock Beer

December 2, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last year 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.

Tuesday’s ad is for an unspecified Bock Beer, which was published on December 2, 1945. This ad was for the White Swan Drive-Inn, possibly of Lawton, Oklahoma, but I can’t find any specific mention of it on the interwebs. The owners, Bishop and Smitty, are both Ex-GI’s freshly back in civilian life and running an establishment serving “the colest beer and the hottest dogs,” including Bock Beer. This ad ran in The Lawton Morning Press, from Lawton, Oklahoma.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, History, Oklahoma

Beer In Ads #5129: Call For Gem Bock Beer

December 1, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last year 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.

Monday’s ad is for Gem Bock Beer, which was published on December 1, 1951. This ad was for the Walter Bros. Brewing Co. of Menasha, Wisconsin, which was originally founded as the Island City Brewery in 1860. It became known as Walter Bros. in 1933 after prohibition, although the brothers had been involved in the brewery since 1888. This ad ran in The Green Bay Post Gazette, from Green Bay, Wisconsin. I love the oddly worded tagline: “Mighty Good .. This Time the Year!”

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, History, Wisconsin

Historic Beer Birthday: William Krug

December 1, 2025 By Jay Brooks

krug-neb
Today is the birthday of William Krug (December 1, 1857-June 21, 1910). He was the grandson of Fredrick Krug, who was the “German-immigrant founder of the Frederick Krug Brewing Company of Omaha, Nebraska. Krug is often cited as one of the early settlers of Omaha. In addition to operating the brewery for almost the entire duration of his life, Krug operated Krug Park in the Benson community and was the president of the Home Fire Insurance Company, which was founded in Omaha in 1884.” His son Frederick H. was involved in the business, and was treasurer, but passed away when he was only 44, five years before his father passed away. William also passed away young, nine years before his grandfather died, and fours before his father, but was vice-president and GM of the brewery when he died.

william-krug

This is a short biography or obituary from Find-a-Grave:

Married Katherine Griesedeck. Oldest son of Fredrick Krug and was the head of Krug Brewery at the time of his death. He was an investor in the development of fair grounds and was on the board of directors of the Omaha Driving Park Association. He was test driving a Stearns automobile driven by Mr. Wallace of Wallace Auto Company, when another car crashed into them at the intersection of 34th and Leavenworth. William was thrown from the car fracturing his skull on the curb dying instantly. He lived at 818 S. 20th Street.

Krug-Brewery-1920
The brewery in 1920.

“The Fred Krug Brewery was located at 2435 Deer Park Boulevard in Omaha, Nebraska. Founded in 1859, Krug Brewery was the first brewery in the city. Krug was one of the “Big 4” brewers located in Omaha, which also included the Storz, Willow Springs and Metz breweries. Later sold to Falstaff in 1936, the facility closed in 1987.

Krug-Brewery-sm
And in its heyday.

This is a short history of the brewery.

In 1859 Frederick Krug established the Krug Brewery with an original output of one and a half barrels a day. In 1878 the brewery was located on Farnam between 10th & 11th Streets in Downtown Omaha, and by 1880 it was brewing approximately 25,000 barrels a year. In 1894 the brewery moved to 29th & Vinton Street near South Omaha. It cost $750,000 and was reportedly one of the best equipped breweries in the country. Omaha’s historic Anheuser-Busch Beer Depot is the only remaining building from the original Krug Brewery.

You wouldn’t believe there was such difference in beers until you use one Krug’s popular brands. They are uniform perfectly brewed and well-aged absolutely pure and leave no bad after effects. The kind of beer that acts as a tonic and a system builder. Order a trial case and begin to enjoy. – Text from a 1910 advertisement by Fred Krug Brewing Company.

Krug brewed beer under several labels: Fred Krug, Cabinet, and Luxus. Krug supported an amateur baseball team called Luxus, taking them as far as the Amateur Baseball World Championship in 1915.

PaxtonHotel

Krug-Luxus-Beer--Labels-Fred-Krug-Brewing-Company

krug1

Filed Under: Birthdays, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: History, Nebraska

Beer In Ads #5128: Here To Enjoy For Christmas! Gem Bock Beer

November 30, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last year 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.

Sunday’s ad is for Gem Bock Beer, which was published on November 30, 1951. This ad was for the Walter Bros. Brewing Co. of Menasha, Wisconsin, which was originally founded as the Island City Brewery in 1860. It became known as Walter Bros. in 1933 after prohibition, although the brothers had been involved in the brewery since 1888. This ad ran in The Post Crescent, from Appleton, Wisconsin.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, History, Wisconsin

Beer In Ads #5127: Augsburger Bock

November 29, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last year 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.

Saturday’s ad is for Augsburger Bock Beer, which was published on November 29, 1985. This ad was for the Joseph Huber Brewing Co. of Monroe, Wisconsin, which was originally founded in 1845. This ad ran in The Baxter Bulletin, from Mountain Home, Arkansas and Baxter County, Arkansas, and surrounding areas.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Arkansas, Bock, History, Wisconsin

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