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Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Historic Beer Birthday: Charles H. Wacker

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Today is the birthday of Charles H. Wacker (August 29, 1856-October 31, 1929). Wacker’s family came from Württemberg Germany (though some sources claim he was from Switzerland), and he was 2nd generation American, having been born in Chicago, Illinois. His father Frederick, also a brewer, founded the Wacker and Birk Brewing and Malting Co. In 1882 or 83, Charles joined his father in the family business, and rose to prominence in Chicago throughout his life.

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

He was a “mover and shaker” in the early days of Chicago. He was part of the Chicago Plan Commission formed to win acceptance of the famous Burnham Plan of 1909. He was a contemporary of Daniel Burnham and helped him promote his plan for the development of the city’s lakefront and system of parks. Lower and Upper Wacker Drive (two roads one on top of the other) in Chicago is named for him.

Here’s his Wikipedia entry:

Charles Henry Wacker, born in Chicago, Illinois, was a second generation German American who was a businessman and philanthropist. His father was Frederick Wacker, a brewer, who was born in Württemberg Germany. He was Vice Chairman of the General Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and in 1909 was appointed Chairman of the Chicago Plan Commission by Mayor Busse. As Commission chairman from 1909 to 1926, he championed the Burnham Plan for improving Chicago. This work included addresses, obtaining wide publicity from newspapers, and publishing Wacker’s Manual of the Plan of Chicago (by Walter D. Moody) as a textbook for local schoolchildren.

Prior to serving on the Commission, Wacker was a Chicago brewer and the director of the 1893 Columbian Exposition held in Chicago.

As a businessman he was part of a consortium of Chicago brewers who underwrote the methods that facilitated the commercialization of refrigeration machines.

Wacker Drive, built as part of the Burnham Plan, and Charles H. Wacker Elementary School are named in his honor. The name Wacker is also attached to other institutions in Chicago, such as the Hotel Wacker.

Charles H. Wacker was educated at Lake Forest Academy (class of 1872) and thereafter at Switzerland’s University of Geneva.

wacker-and-birk

The Chicago brewery his father started was originally called Seidenschwanz & Wacker, and was located on Hinsdale, between Pine and Rush streets. It was founded in 1857, but the following year it became known as Wacker & Seidenschwanz, and was on N. Franklin Street. That version lasted until 1865. Beginning that same year, its name changed once again to the Frederick Wacker Brewery, and its address was listed as 848 N. Franklin Street, presumably in the same location as its predecessor. Sixteen years later, in 1882, it relocated to 171 N. Desplaines (now Indiana Street) and it became known as the Wacker & Birk Brewing & Malting Co. This is also when Charles joined his father’s business, when he would have been 26 years old. Just before prohibition the name was shortened to the Wacker & Birk Co., although it appears to have closed by 1920.

wacker-poster

Here’s one more biography, from the library at the University of Illinois at Chicago:

Wacker was born in 1856 to a German immigrant who owned a brewing and malting company. Although he worked as a real estate investor and bank director, Wacker eventually took over his father’s business. In civic affairs, Wacker was director of the Ways and Means Committee for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. In 1909, Mayor Fred Busse appointed Wacker to the Chicago Plan Commission, a committee designed to convince residents to issue bonds and spend money on widening streets, improving sidewalks, and redeveloping parts of the city. During his tenure on the Commission, Wacker urged voters to approve the forest preserves referenda. Later, he served on the Forest Preserve Plan Committee. Chicago leaders rewarded Wacker by renaming a double-decker roadway after him. First proposed in the Burnham Plan and completed in the 1920s, Wacker Drive runs along the Chicago River in the Loop.

wackerbirklabels

Historic Beer Birthday: Peter Littig

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Today is the birthday of Pierre ‘Peter’ Littig Sr. (August 26, 1794-August 3, 1881). He was born in Spechren, Lorraine, France and was a war hero in his native France, serving in Napoleon’s army. He apparently engaged in heroic actions during the Battle of Leipzig in 1813 and again in 1815 during the Battle of Ligny in Namur, Wallonia, Belgium. He also took part in the Battle of Waterloo on Sunday, June 18, 1815. The following February 15 in 1816, when he was 21, he married Anne Marie “Mary” Blaser in his home town. His three eldest sons were born there, too, followed by a daughter when they were living in Paris. By March of 1836, the family left France and settled in the francophone community of Orleans Parish in New Orleans, Louisiana. Unfortunately, his wife died of malaria the same year. Fearing for his children’s safety, he moved the kids and they relocated to Davenport, Iowa briefly, before moving again (maybe) across the river to nearby Rock Island, Illinois, where he married Sidona Bomberg. They had four children together. She passed in 1853, and the following year he married Mary Bailey.

In 1854, along with his son, Peter Littig Jr., he opened a brewery they called the Peter Littig, Sr. & Jr., Brewery and traded under the name Atlantic Brewery. They only operated the brewery for four years before selling the business to Joseph Schmid. The brewery went through two more owners before closing for good in 1897.

This is his obituary from The Morning Democrat of Davenport, Iowa:

And this history is from the an 1882 history of the county where he lived:

Historic Beer Birthday: Fritz Goetz

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Today is the birthday of Fritz Goetz (August 20, 1849-May 3, 1917). He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but moved to Chicago as a young man, eventually going into the copper business, which changed names a few times, but settled on the Goetz Company. In addition to copper brewing equipment, they also sold tanks, and general brewing and bottling equipment. The business was so successful that in his obituary, it was noted that “There is hardly any brewery, bottlery or malting plant in the United States or Mexico where there is not some machine or apparatus manufactured by the Goetz Company.”

Here is his obituary from the American Brewers’ Review for 1918:

Beer Birthday: Don Feinberg

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Today is Don Feinberg’s 71st birthday, along with his wife Wendy Littlefield, ran the Belgian export company Vanberg & DeWulf. Their portfolio included such great beer lines as Dupont, Castelain and Dubuisson (Bush). They were also the original founders of Brewery Ommegang. Several years ago they celebrated their 30th anniversary of being involved in the beer industry and bringing great beer to America. Plus, they’re great fun to hang out and drink with. Unfortunately, several years ago they sold Vanberg & DeWulf, and are taking some time off, before deciding on their next project. It’s been a while now, but hopefully, we’ll learn something soon. Join me in wishing Don a very happy birthday.

Don, along with the Dubuisson brewmaster, being poured Lambrucha in Chicago in 2010.
Wendy and Don at a dinner in Belgium a few years ago.
Feinberg-DC
Wendy Littlefield, Don and Greg Engert at a Vanberg & DeWulf tasting in Washington, D.C.
(photo by Chuck Cook)
Don Feinberg, Anne (from New York’s Ginger Man) and Wendy in Belgium.
Feinberg-QE2
Wendy and Don in 1979.

Historic Beer Birthday: William J. Seib

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Today is the birthday of William J. Seib (August 4, 1836-after 1901). He was born in Germany and learned to brew there. When he was 18, in 1854, he emigrated to the United States and worked at several breweries in the Detroit area, including Stroh’s. He worked for several additional breweries before becoming the brewmaster at Conrad Seipp Brewery of Chicago, Illinois, a position he held for nearly two decades until his retirement in 1901, after fifty years in the brewing industry. He must have been very well regarded because he’s referred to as “the dean of American brewmasters.” Seib was one of three men appointed to draft the charter of the Master Brewers’ Association of the United States, along with Louis Frisch and Charles J. Schmidt, which was founded on April 14, 1887.

This is a short biography when he retired from brewing in 1901, when he was 64, from the American Brewers’ Review:

And this biography is from when Seib celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary.

Beer Birthday: Jonathan Surratt

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Today is the 52nd birthday of Jonathan Surratt. Jonathan launched the Beer Mapping Project and also ran the website for DRAFT magazine before it folded. And Jonathan also created National Growler Day, though its exact date from year to year is still fluid, plus he was a twitter diva, too. More recently, he’s become a sandwich aficionado of the highest order. Join me in wishing Jonathan a very happy birthday.

A self-portrait with Matt, then with Oakshire Brewing, Jonathan, and me at the Goose Island cask event during CBC in 2010.
Horse Brass publican Don Younger bookended by Jonathan’s wife Robin and Jonathan, displaying his excellent taste in attire.
Michael Roper, owner of the Hopleaf, Jonathan, and Wendy Littlefield, from Vanberg & DeWulff, when we had dinner there a few years ago.
Jonathan & Robin Surratt Sandwiched by Sean Paxton
Jonathan with Sean Paxton and Jonathan’s wife Robin at GABF a few years ago.
Jonathan, Ray McCoy, Robin, and Ray’s wife, Cornelia Corey.

Historic Beer Birthday: Jacob Woolner

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Today is the birthday of Jacob Woolner (July 24, 1834-March 23, 1909). He was born in Szennitz (or Szeged), Hungary (although one source says Budapest) but settled initially in Vienna, Austria, where he married. In 1873, he emigrated to the United States, and ended up in Peoria, Illinois. In 1886, he co-founded the Union Brewing Co. with his brother-in-law Sigmund O. Mitler. It closed in 1920 due to prohibition, re-opening briefly as the Peoria Brewing Co. in 1934 but closed for good in 1940.

This is his obituary from his unexpected death in 1909.

Beer In Ads #5293: Meister Brau Gives You More Of What You Drink Beer For

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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.

Monday’s ad is for Meister Bräu Bock Beer, among four others, which was published in 1969. This double truck ad was for the Peter Hand Brewery Co. of Chicago, Illinois, which was originally founded in 1891.. This ad ran in the Chicago Tribune, also of Chicago, Illinois.

Beer Birthday: Sigmund O. Mitler

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Today is the birthday of Sigmund O. Mitler (June 18, 1850-October 18, 1896). He was born in Trnava, Slovakia, which was formerly Srenitz, Hungary. He was initially a banker, and was the director of the Anglo-Hungarian Bank in Vienna, but after emigrating to the United States around 1884, and settling in Peoria, Illinois, he co-founded the Union Brewing Co. with his brother-in-law Jacob Woolner in 1886. It closed in 1920 due to prohibition, re-opening briefly as the Peoria Brewing Co. in 1934 but closing for good in 1940.

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I couldn’t find out much else about Mitler other than he worked as the general manager and treasurer of the brewery until the day he died.

Although not exactly relevant, when he was 30 he married Ernestine Sternberg Mitler, who had a fondness for big hats.

Ernestine Sternberg Mitler

Historic Beer Birthday: Frank Shlaudeman

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Today is the birthday of Frank Shlaudeman (June 17, 1862-August 26, 1938). His father became a partner in what would become the Decatur Brewing Co., in Decatur, Illinois, and which was founded in 1855. By. 1884, Henry Shlaudeman was the sole owner. Frank was born and raised in Decatur.

Frank’s father Henry Shlaudeman joined the Edward Harpstrite Brewery (which was originally the John Koehler & Adam Keck Brewery when it opened in 1855). Within a few years, he’d made enough of an impact that it became the Harpstrite & Shlaudeman Brewery, and two years after that, in 1884, he bought out his partner and it became the Henry Shlaudeman Brewery. In 1888, it was again renamed, this time the Decatur Brewing Co. It reopened after prohibition in 1934 under the name Macon County Beverage Co., but closed for good the same year.

Surprisingly, I was unable to turn up even one photograph of him. He took over the brewery after his father retired in 1903. I found a record of him taking a trip in 1934 to California. But more recently, I found his obituary, from the Heralnd and Review in 1938.

And here’s a second obit:

And this biography is from the “Portrait and Biographical Record of Macon Co., IL, 1893″

Frank Shlaudeman, an educated gentleman and prominent business man of Decatur, is Vice-President of the Decatur Brewing Company, and also Vice-President of the Decatur Ice and Cold Storage Company. His entire life has been passed in this city, where his birth occurred on the 17th of June, 1862. Under the parental roof the days of his boyhood were passed, and his primary education was acquired in the public schools of the city. He afterward attended the University of Illinois, at Champaign, taking a five-years course as a mechanical enigneer in the mechanical department. He was then graduated from that institution in the Class of ’82, with the degrees of B.S. and M.E. After his graduation he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and entered the employ of the Brush Electric Light Company. He worked in all the departments of that company and became familiar with every detail of the business. Later he spent six months in Chicago. He had expected to devote his attention to electrical work, but events caused him to abandon this plan. However, he has built two electric machines, one for lighting the ice factory and one for motor purposes in the bottling works, of three-horse power. He put up the first electrical machine in Decatur, a Brush machine of ten-horse power for exhibition purposes.

In October, 1886, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Shlaudeman and Miss Josephine Baum, whose home was in Springfield, Ill. They have a pleasant residence on Webster Street, and are well known in this community, having many friends. From his boyhood our subject has been familiar with the brewing business, and in 1886 entered the brewery. Since that time he has given his entire attention to the business, and has practically been its manager. He has entire charge of the manufacturing department, and his brother Harry superintends the office and sales. The property covers a tract of several acres. The Decatur Brewing Company was oncorporated on the 27th of March, 1888, with a capital stock of $50,000. It’s officers are H. Shlaudeman, President; Frank Shlaudeman, Vice-President; and Harry Shlaudeman, Secretary and Treasurer. It has a capacity of twenty thousands barrels annually, with an annual business of fourteen thousand barrels, and they purchase about fifteen thousand bushels of barley, mainly grown in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Employment is furnished to twenty-three men. The bottling works are separated from the brewery. Mr. Shlaudeman is an intelligent and cultured gentleman, pleasant and popular, and a man of good business ability.