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.
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.”
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.
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!”
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
Today is the birthday of Herman Alfred Uihlein Jr. (November 29, 1917-February 27, 2008). He was the son of Henry Uihlein II, and was the great-grandson of Henry Uihlein, who for many years was the president of the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company early in the 20th century. Herman Jr. served on the board of Schlitz for 40 years.
Here’s an obituary of Uihlein from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Uihlein, Herman Alfred Jr. Of Mequon. Passed away on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, age 90. He was born in Milwaukee on November 29, 1917 and maintained homes in Mequon and Naples, FL. He was a third generation descendant of the founders of the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company and a grandson of Henry Uihlein, who was President of Schlitz from 1875 to 1917. Mr. Uihlein served on the Schlitz Board for 40 years. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Nancie Dauer Uihlein, in 2005. Surviving are their children, Herman A. III of Del Mar, CA, Peter (Pam) of Mequon, George (Susan) of Grafton and Linda of Charlottesville, VA. He is also survived by four grandsons, P. Timothy, Mattson, Justin and G. Andrew. Further survived by his sister, Virginia U. Martin of Bozeman, MT and his brother, Henry H. Uihlein of Milwaukee. Mr. Uihlein was President of Ben-Hur Mfg. Co. and Vice President of QuicFreeze, Inc. in Fond du Lac, WI. from 1940 to 1950. During WWII he converted Ben-Hur to the manufacturing of supply trailers and fire engines for the military. Following the war both plants reverted to the production of domestic freezers and refrigerators. In 1954, Mr. Uihlein retired from both companies and joined the brokerage firm of Thomson & McKinnon as a partner for 30 years. He was active in supporting the Boy Scouts of America, the Easter Seals Society, the American Red Cross and the Community Fund. Mr. Uihlein attended Milwaukee Country Day School and graduated from Cranbrook School of Bloomfield Hills, MI. and attended Cornell University where he was a member of Chi Psi Fraternity. He enjoyed many years of skiing, hunting, fishing, golf and travel.
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 Kaier’s Bock Beer, among others, which was published on November 27, 1961. This ad was for the Charles D. Kaier Co. Brewery of Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, which was originally founded in 1880. This ad ran in The Record American, also from Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania.
Today is the birthday of Felix Geiger (November 27, 1834-October 6, 1898). He was born in Kappel, Wurttemberg, Germany. After learning to be a brewery in Germany, he emigrated to America in 1854, when he was 20, settling in Philadelphia. After working for several area breweries he became a brewmaster, working at several in Philadelphia, finishing his career with Bergner & Engel.
Here is his obituary from the American Brewer’s Review:
“One of the best known and most popular among the brewmasters and German inhabitants generally of Philadelphia has joined the silent majority. On Oct. 6, Felix Geiger, brewmaster of the Bergner and Engel Brewery for many years departed this life and with him the brewmasters of the city of brotherly love lost one of the most genial companions and active workers in all that interested them.
Felix Geiger was born in 1834 at Kappeln, Wurtemberg. He became a brewers apprentice and worked as a journeyman in German breweries until 1854, when he came to Philadelphia.Here he soon found employment in Carl Fischer’s brewery. Later he worked for Steppaden Brothers, for Conrad Frei and in the so-called “Actien Brewery” until 1857, when he entered the employ of Gustav Bergner as cellar foreman. Seven years later, in 1864, he was employed as a brewmaster in Harry Rothacker’s brewery, later with Engel & Wolf, and a short time with Louis Bergdoll.
In 1871, he was engaged by the firm of Bergner & Engel. In the long term of years he was connected with this brewery he developed great skill and knowledge in his profession, and a rare talent for organization. He was much liked by the employees of the brewery. Mr. Geiger is survived by a widow, three daughters and one son, Joseph, who is president of the George Keller Brewing Company.
The funeral was held Oct. 9, the brewmasters’ association turning out in a body and a large attendance of prominent Germans accompanying the deceased to his last resting place.”
From a Philadelphia newspaper, June 10, 1896.
