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Milan, Ohio Brewery

Beer has been manufactured in Milan since 1850, when a crystal spring was discovered. John Scholl was the owner of the first brewery established near the spring. He sold it in 1861 to Frank and Gottlieb Humble. At this point, its output was ten barrels a day. The Humbles sold it to Anton Herb in 1870.

Anton Herb operated the brewery for many years and upon his death his son Joseph took over the business. He produced a "pure malt beer", adhering to the old time process of making a beer from malt and hops.

In 1904, a local entrepreneur Robert Streck, organized a company with capital stock of $100,000. The directors of the company were Robert A. Streck, Milan, Ohio, President and Treasurer; George W. Luckey, Elmore, Ohio, Vice President; Chas. L. Blatz, Sandusky, Ohio, secretary; H.L. Scheid, Milan, Ohio; Joseph F. Wagner, Sandusky, Ohio; Fred C. Doerzbach, Sandusky, Ohio; and Joseph Stoll, Norwalk, Ohio.

The company purchased the property of Joseph Herb and decided to build a modern brewery. Wahl & Henius Institute of Fermentology of Chicago, the foremost and leading authority in the world on brewing, was instructed to "build a brewery which would be a guide for the brewing interests to follow in building in the future." Mr. Richard Orlouser of Chicago, the famous brewery architect, prepared the plans under the supervision of the Wahl & Henius Institute.

G.W. Doerzbach and Bros. of Sandusky were the contractors. Fred C. Doerzbach supervised the construction. The new buildings were completed and turned over to the owners within six months of tearing down the old brewery.

The refreigeration plant was installed by the Viller boiler work by the Gortz & Flodia Mfg. Co. of Chicago. The insulation was furnished and the work done by the Union Fibre Co. of Milwaukee. The cooperage and largo tanks were furnished by the Michel Cooperage Co. of Sandusky.

A large pond sits south of the brewery. In the winter, ice was harvested and supplied to the citizens of Milan and to the customers of the company.

"The essential feature of the brewery and one of the absolutely necessary ingredients in making good beer is good water. The original spring which furnished the water for the first brew over 50 years ago, is furnishing the water today for this plant. A cistern, over 20 feet deep and 6 feet in diameter is kept constantly full of water which flows so freely and rapidly that it is estimated the overflow amounts to more than 500 barrels a day, insuring an unlimited supply of water for all time.

Mr. Max Koeck of Muich, Bavaria, a famous brewmaster and graduate of the Wahl & Henius Institute, was the superintendant of the plant.

Joseph Herb Brewing Company began operation in December 1905.

References

"The Mammoth New Brewery and the Old One at Milan", Sandusky Daily Register, Sandusky, Ohio, Saturday, December 16, 1905.