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Many decades ago when Albert Cramer took the reins for Warsteiner he had two goals in mind.  The first was to become the first German beer to be sold throughout the country of Germany.  A nationwide distribution for any German beer was unheard of at that time, and Albert did soon accomplish that goal which […]

In the early 1970s, the senior executives at Lone Star Brewing Co. came from Schlitz.  Harry Jersig, who was the owner of Lone Star, had retained these executives in an attempt to turn the brewery around while simultaneously upgrading the execution of the company. The required administrative work required of these senior executives was similar […]

Pierre Celis sold his successful, but under-insured Belgium Brewery, located in Hoegaarden, Belgium, to InterBrew.  Pierre then decided to build a brewery in Austin and bring his Belgium White Ale to Texas.  While visiting Pierre in 1991, just before the brewery was finished, Pierre told me that he initially looked at both Austin and Portland, […]

These pages have often referenced the historic struggles experienced by the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Co. In its efforts to remain not only relevant and to enhance the stock prices, a corporate decision was made around 40 years ago to quicken the brewing fermentation process.  The unfortunate result negatively altered both the taste and clarity of the liquid.  […]

It was January 16, 1919, just over 100 years ago, that the 18th Amendment was ratified.  Prohibition began 100 years ago.  Then on December 5, 1933, the 21st amendment repealed the 18th amendment and Prohibition ended. Or did it really? Sure, the 21st amendment made it legal to buy and consume alcoholic beverages, but now […]

  The career options for young professionals in today’s beer industry are much different than they were years ago.  As a college helper on a Coors truck, I became convinced that I wanted to pursue a career in the industry.  Working on a beer truck did not give me a clear picture of how a […]

As I write this blog, the governmental shut-down continues.  In fact, this governmental shut-down is now the longest in history.  We all know that such action means the TTB label approval process has ceased.  It has been reported that for every day the TTB is closed, three additional days are added for the label approval […]

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the prime rate for loans was in the mid-teens and prospective homeowners faced interest rates of up to15%.  Because the cost of money was so expensive, most people interested in purchasing a home or business looked for creative financing options, which typically meant the owner carrying back all, […]

A review of the past fifty years reveals that there were years which not only defined a product but also changed the industry.  In 1975, after several years in test markets, Miller Lite was launched nationally.  This brand was not only successful, but its introduction created an entirely new category of beer.  Even in today’s […]

Lone Star Brewing Co. was like many other successful regional brewers in the early 1970s. With the onslaught of AB, Schlitz, Miller, and Coors, Lone Star was losing volume and market share. At the time, Harry Jersig, the founder, owner, and boyhood friend of LBJ, decided to change things up and brought in a number […]