A. Gettelman Brewing Company
The A. Gettelman Brewing Company was an American brewery that was based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1856 until 1961, when it was sold to Miller Brewing Company.[1] It was the smallest of the "Big Five" breweries from Milwaukee's brewing legacy (Schlitz, Pabst, Miller, and Blatz being the others).[2][3] Its most recognizable brand, Milwaukee's Best, is still marketed by MillerCoors.[4]
In 2017, the old Gettleman Brewery was given historic designation status by Milwaukee's Historic Preservation Commission.[5] In 2018, through a compromise with the commission, MillerCoors demolished the original brewery, which dated back to the 1850s, but preserved a house from 1856 that was used as an office and lab-testing. The company uses an image of the former facility on the label of its Icehouse beer.[6]
History
The company was founded by George Schweickhart as George Schweickhart's Menomonee Brewery in 1856. In 1871, Schweickhart added Adam Gettelman as a partner. Adam Gettelman became sole owner in 1876 and renamed the brewery to A. Gettelman Brewing Company. The facility was rebuilt after a fire destroyed most of the original building in 1877. In 1891, the brewer introduced its "$1,000 Beer" challenge, promising to award $1,000 to anyone who could prove it was made with anything other than pure barley, hops, and malt.[citation needed] In 1895, they introduced the Milwaukee's Best brand. Gettelman Brewery sold "near beer" during Prohibition. In 1946, inspired by heinzelmännchen of German folklore, the company introduced an eight-ounce beer bottle called "Fritzie". In 1959, they became distributors for Tucher Brewery of Nuremberg, Germany. This was the first such relationship with a foreign brewer by an American brewing company.[citation needed] The company was sold in 1961 to Miller Brewing Company.[1][2][4] The company didn't market their product nationally.[7]
Brands
- $1,000 Natural Process[7]
- Five O'Clock Club Beer[7]
- Milwaukee's Best[7]
- Rathskeller Brew[7]
- Stein Brew[7]
See also
References
- ^ a b "A. Gettelman Brewing Company | Encyclopedia of Milwaukee". Retrieved 2019-02-11.
- ^ a b Prigge, Matthew (2017-11-30). "The Story Behind This Gettelman Brewery Beer Tray". Milwaukee Magazine. Retrieved 2019-02-11.
- ^ "Brewing | Encyclopedia of Milwaukee". Retrieved 2019-02-11.
- ^ a b "Century of Brewing: A. Gettelman Brewing Company". www.beerhistory.com. Retrieved 2019-02-11.
- ^ "Gettelman Brewery on MillerCoors campus receives permanent historic designation status". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2019-02-11.
- ^ Jannene, Jeramey. "Eyes on Milwaukee: MillerCoors Razes Historic Gettelman Building". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved 2019-02-11.
- ^ a b c d e f "5 things you may not know about Milwaukee's Best beer". MolsonCoors Blog Beer & Beyond. 2016-11-21. Retrieved 2019-02-11.