Today is the birthday of Megan Parisi, who’s currently a brewer for the Boston Beer Company. Before that she brewed at Wormtown Brewery, Bluejacket and Cambridge Brewing. And coincidentally, we both once played clarinet in a military band, Megan for the US Navy, whereas I was in an Army band. Megan’s a terrific brewer and a great addition to the Samuel Adams Brewery in Boston. Join me in wishing Megan a very happy birthday.
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.
Monday’s poster is for for Scheidt’s Valley Forge Bock Beer, which was created in the 1940s. This one was for the Adam Scheidt Brewing Co., which was located in Norristown, Pennsylvania and was originally founded in 1866. The artist appears to be unknown, possibly an in-house staff artist.
Today is the 55th birthday of Luc De Raedemaeker, who’s the Tasting Director for the Brussels Beer Challenge, the Dutch Beer Challenge and also the owner of BIERinhuis. I first met Luc in D.C. when Stephen Beaumont introduced us during CBC, and then we judged together in Japan several years ago, and I’ve also been privileged to judge at the BBC for over ten years. We generally run into one another several times a year, both in the states and in Belgium, and he’s always fun to share a beer or three with. One summer, a few years ago, his family stayed with us for a week while they were on vacation in the states, and had a grand time. Join me in wishing Luc a very happy birthday.
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.
Sunday’s poster is for for Miller Bock Beer, which was created in the 1930s. This poster was made for the Miller Brewing Co., from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which was founded by Frederick Miller in 1855. The artist appears to be unknown, probably an in-house staff artist.
Today would have been the 69th birthday of Kirby Shyer, who founded the Zip City Brewing Co. in New York City, the only brewpub in Manhattan when it opened in November of 1991, since both New Amsterdam and Manhattan Brewing has closed earlier. Unfortunately, he passed away late two years ago. He was a pioneer in the industry, especially on the East Coast because his brewpub was in such a visible place in downtown Manhattan. Unfortunately, when the bottom fell out of craft beer in 1997, the brewery closed. I met Kirby a little later when he was working for another brewery and called on me at BevMo and we later attended a Cleveland Indians baseball game, along with Tom Dalldorf, when the Craft Brewers Conference was in Cleveland in 2002.
Kirby worked in the brewery industry for several years after Zip City closed, both for breweries and distributors, but left to work on a project outside beer and beverages. He passed away in early November of 2024.
All About Beer’s archive includes a great 2017 overview of Zip City and Shyer by Tom Acitelli entitled A Brewpub’s Collapse 20 Years Ago Sounds Familiar.
This is his obituary from the New York Times:
Kirby Shyer passed away after a long illness on Friday, November 1, 2024 at Mt Sinai Hospital. He was born on October 11, 1957 in NYC, raised in Larchmont, NY and was a longtime resident of Ridgefield, CT. Kirby was a technology early-adopter, a talented amateur film-maker, an enthusiastic champion of his favored music, especially Lou Reed, and a lifelong (but disappointed) Mets fan. Kirby loved Boston Terriers, particularly his own: Indie. Kirby will be missed dearly by everyone who knew him. Kirby was good-natured, smart, creative and also the nicest guy you ever met. Throughout his life, Kirby loved every place he lived and retained close friendships from Westminster School in Simsbury, CT, from St. Lawrence University, where he was a pillar of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, and stayed connected to childhood friends from St Regis and Swiss Challenge camps. In 1991, Kirby launched the startup Zip City Brewing Company, popularizing the brewpub craze across the US and leading the neighborhood revivals of Flatiron & Union Square in NYC. Zip City was notable for its brewing equipment — imported from Austria — integrated into the design of the bar. Zip City brewed rich lagers, expanding the NY beer palate, and paved the way for 10 other local brewpubs. His greatest Zip City success, however, was meeting his loving life partner and wife of 30 years, Jennifer. Kirby was responsible for masterminding the introduction of the Belgian beer Stella Artois to the American market, an effort that was so successful, he was knighted by the Belgian Brewers Guild. Being so well-known in the brewing community, he was also a brand ambassador for Manhattan Beer Distributors. Kirby was the devoted father of Griffin and Grace Shyer, dedicated husband to Jennifer Brown Shyer, and doting uncle to his nieces and nephews. He is also survived by mother Marlene Fanta Shyer, sister Alison Shyer, brother, Christopher Shyer and his partner David Ehrich, and father-in-law Robert Brown.
Today is the 42nd birthday of Kushal Hall, former Director of Brewing Operations for Speakeasy Ales & Lagers. Kushal had been brewing at Speakeasy since 2007, but left in May of 2017 to open his own place in Southern California. The new brewery is called Common Space Brewing and is located in Hawthorne. While Kushal studied photography at UC Santa Cruz, I think we can all agree the world is a better place since he became a brewer. A terrific brewer and person, please join me in wishing Kushal a very happy birthday.
[Note: last two photos purloined from Facebook.]
Today is the 35th birthday of Jaime Ojeda Selamé (October 11, 1991- ). Jaime was born in Chile and founded ConEspuma, an online beer magazine, along with being a founder of both breweries Cervecería Principal and Jardín Mallinkrodt. I first met him when I judged in South America several years ago, but have gotten to know him much better judging in Belgium and on some press trips abroad. He’s now living in New York, looking for a spot to start a barbecue business. Plus he’s an awesome person to going drinking and eating with. Join me in wishing Jaime a very happy birthday.
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.
Saturday’s poster is for for Salmon Bock, which was created in 1925. This poster was made for the Brasserie-Malterie Salmon Frères Brewery in Pernes-en-Artois, France, which was founded by the Salmon Brothers in 1848. The poster was created by French commercial artist Pierre Gabriel.
And here’s a slightly larger version of the art in a different format.
Today is the birthday of George W. Schimminger (October 10, 1857-January 25, 1917). He was born in Philadelphia, but after Pharmacy school, and some years with a chemical company, moved to Altoona to open a drug store. After retiring in 1885, he and two partners created the business partnership known as Wilhelm, Schimminger & Ramsey, “which took over the operation of the Altoona brewery.” Originally known as the George Wilhelm Brewery, when it was founded in 1855, and later the Old Hickory Brewery, the partners renamed in the Schimminger & Wilhelm Brewery, doing business as the Altoona Brewery, until it was closed for good by Prohibition in 1920. After repeal, the Empire Brewery/Germania Brewery called itself the City Ice & Beverage Co., but in 1936 bought the rights to the Altoona Brewing Co., which remained their name until closing in 1974.
This obituary is from the Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pa., Friday Morning, January 26, 1917:
GEORGE SCHIMMINGER SUMMONED BY DEATH
Well Known Citizen and Business Man Passes Away YesterdayGeorge W. Schimminger, one of the city’s well known citizens, a former druggist and a member of the firm of Wilhelm, Schimminger & Ramsey, proprietors of the Altoona brewery, died at the home of his son-in-law, A. A. Scheffer, 319 Fourth Avenue, at 12:25 o’clock yesterday afternoon, of a complication of diseases. The news spread over the city rapidly and was received with sincere regret by those who shared his acquaintance.
Mr. Schimminger had been in failing health for the past couple of years but his condition became serious some three months ago and his decline continued rapid until he passed away. Deceased was the son of Max and Elizabeth (deceased) Schimminger, and was born at Philadelphia, October 10, 1857. He attended the schools of his native city and on being graduated from the high school entered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, from which institution he was graduated. He then spent several years in the employ of a large chemical house in Philadelphia. He came to Altoona in 1882 and opened a drug store on Twelfth street, between Seventh and Eighth avenues. He conducted it with success until 1895, when he retired from business and entered the firm of Wilhelm, Schimminger & Ramsey, which took over the operation of the Altoona brewery. Since that time and up until his illness compelled him to relinquish work, he was identified with the business.
He was a member of the St. Mark’s Roman Catholic church and was a member of a number of secret and fraternal organizations, among them being the Elks, Eagles, Moose, Frohsinn society, Concordia society, Altoona Turngemeinde, Bavarian society and the Catholic Mutual Beneficial association. He was one of the organizers of the latter organization in the city. He was quiet and unassuming but possessed a disposition that won him friends with all with whom he came in contact.
He was married in this city October, 1882, to Miss Elizabeth Wilhelm, who preceded him to the grave sixteen years ago. He is survived by two children, Charles M. Schimminger and Mrs. J. C. Soyster, both of this city. A daughter, Mrs. Scheffer, preceded him to the grave a few years ago. He is also survived by his aged father, now residing in Philadelphia, and three brothers – Charles, William and Albert Schimminger, of Philadelphia.
The body of Mr. Schimminger will be taken from his late home at 2:30 o’clock Sunday afternoon to St. Mark’s church and later will be interred in the family vault in St. Mary’s cemetery. Solemn high requiem mass will be celebrated at the church Monday morning at 9 o’clock.
And this shorter obiturary is from the American Brewers’ Review:
Today is the 80th birthday of Barbara Groom, co-founder of Lost Coast Brewing in Eureka, California. I first met Barbara when I was the beer buyer at BevMo in the mid-1990s and our paths have crossed on occasion ever since, though not in recent years. She makes terrific beers and her brewery celebrated its 30th anniversary a few years back, but more recently Barb has announced her retirement and the brewery was for sale. After failing to find a buyer, the brewery’s equipment and intellectual property are being sold separately through New Mill Capital in a few days, and hopefully things will turn our alright with the auction. Join me in wishing Barbara a very happy birthday.
[Note: All photos purloined from Facebook.]