Goldcrest 51 Beer Truck back next
Built by: Dave Rasmussen in Mequon, Wisconsin
With my ties to Memphis, TN (I lived there for 11 years and have visited a lot since,) my friend Louis suggested I take a Tom Daniel Beer Wagon and create a beer hauler to honor the Tennessee Brewing Company. Let’s start with an AI summary:
The Tennessee Brewing Company was a significant brewery located in Memphis, Tennessee, with a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. Here are the key details about this historic brewery:
Founded in 1877 by George H. Herbers, the company was initially called "The Memphis Brewing Company". In 1885, it was acquired by J.W. Schorr, Casper Koehler, and associates, who transformed it into one of the largest breweries of its time.
The iconic Tennessee Brewery building, which still stands today, was constructed in 1890 at the intersection of Butler and Tennessee streets in Memphis, overlooking the Mississippi River. This Romanesque-style building, designed by E. Jungenfel & Co., was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
At its peak, the brewery employed over 1,500 workers and by 1903 was producing 250,000 barrels of beer annually, making it the largest brewery in the South. The company produced various beer styles, including Pilsener, Export, Budweiser, Tennessee Pale, and Bavarian.
Prohibition forced the brewery to cease operations, but it reopened after the repeal under the leadership of John Schorr, son of J.W. Schorr. The brewery's most famous product post-Prohibition was "Goldcrest 51," named to honor more than 51 years in the brewing business.
Despite its popularity, the Tennessee Brewing Company ultimately closed its doors in 1954. The building has since been the subject of various redevelopment plans. In 2014, it was purchased by Billy Orgel, a Memphis-based developer, for $825,000. Currently, the building has been converted into apartments, with units available for reservation: The Brewery -- Memphis
The Tennessee Brewery remains an important part of Memphis's industrial and cultural heritage, serving as a reminder of the city's once-thriving brewing industry.
And this historic photo I used as a reference.
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