Volume 44 Summer 2020 By: Jerry Janiszewski In April of 2017 MillerCoor’s demolition Over the past couple of months I’ve plans were halted when an application for a had a few folks ask me about what ever Temporary Historic Designation was filed by a happened to the Gettelman Brewery building local property owner. The Milwaukee Historic located on the Molson Coors Beverage Preservation Commission held a special Company (MCBC), (formerly known as meeting to assess the viewpoints of the public MillerCoors Brewing Company) property in resulting in favor of a temporary reprieve, Milwaukee. To relieve the boredom of the which halted MillerCoor’s efforts for 180 days. safer at home order, I’ve decided to take a As a result an arrangement was approved in look for myself and take some pictures. September 2017 by the Milwaukee Common Here’s an update regarding this historic Council to preserve and relocate the house structure built in 1856. while allowing the malt house and cellar to be MillerCoors planned to demolish the destroyed. entire Gettelman Brewery which included the One great takeaway from my visits to original house and an attached three story Germany and Europe is their culture’s malt house/warehouse. One of the few Demolition of Gettelman Malt House in remaining fermentation cellars in Milwaukee March 2018. was located below the malt house. Plans were to raze the building and pave the area to utilize as a parking lot for their company semi-truck trailers. Gettelman Brewery and House in December 2016. willingness to embrace history and preserve it. It appears that the corporate mentality in America is bottom line, so tear it down, because it’s going to be an expense and the heck with preservation. I have to admit that I was devastated when I drove by the Gettelman building in March 2018 and witnessed the extent that it Inside This Issue was going to be leveled. There were several Gettelman House~ 1,9 Book Review ~ 8 rumors over the next few months as to where President’s Message ~ 2 Hops Production ~ 8 the house would be relocated including the Editor’s Note ~ 2 Forest Home Book ~ 9 parking lot of the MillerCoor’s Hospitality Trivia ~ 2 Brewers Celebration ~ 9 Introducing Matt Haerter~ 3 Prohibition Vocabulary ~ 10 Center. New Members ~ 3 Looking Back ~ 11 Ultimately in September of 2018 Proper Beer Glass ~ 4,5,10 Board of Directors ~ 12 MillerCoors decided not to move the building Aluminum Shortage ~ 5 Membership ~ 12 which was in considerable disrepair. Brewskis w/Janiszewski ~ 6,7 Continued on page 9 A Message From Dear MBB Members, Our President . On this hot, humid July day prior to writing an Bob Heger introduction for the Summer Newsletter I read an article in Craft Beer and Brewing titled “Your Guide to Octoberfest & Festbier”. Being at home my mind wandered to thoughts of convivial Munich hospitality, traditional folkloric song and dance, festive tents hosting millions of guests, bountiful liters of fine Munich beer and the joy of participating in one of the world’s great public festivals. Held each September in Munich, the “Wiesn” as locals call it will not take place this year, the first cancellation in 70 years and another consequence of the viral epidemic blanketing most of the world. I am reminded that for another year I will not be able to fulfill one of my “bucket list” aspirations. The epidemic has changed so much in our lives, from the routines of daily life to our plans for travel and new experiences. Globally, we see evidence of adaptation and resilience as breweries and museums imagine and test new approaches toward meeting our changing life patterns and explore new ways for us to engage in virtual experiences. Closer to home, the Museum of Beer and Brewing will not hold the Celebration of Brewers event this year, the Wisconsin Historical Society is now reopening sites on a careful trajectory and the Milwaukee County Historical Society is conducting new virtual events. It’s a given that moving forward our endeavors will continue but likely in new forms. I am an optimist and relish the challenge of doing things differently. As the day progressed, I began to imagine a back yard “Octoberfest”, one that respects safe guidance for social exposure and kindles an “Octoberfest feel” at home. With a few online searches I realized it is doable. Local brewers will certainly offer fine Octoberfest beers, online purchase of 1 liter “Masskrugs” and downloading Bavarian folkloric music is “armchair easy”, and local grocers offer a plentiful selection of big pretzels, cheeses, and sausages. (If you are a home brewer, now is the time to make your own Octoberfest brew) I know it is not the real deal, but it is something I can do “to bring a taste of Munich Wiesn” for a few hours to my backyard. In this year of extraordinary events, I will take it! Enjoy reading the engaging content of this newsletter and please be mindful that we all face the challenge of maneuvering life in a changed world environment. Share your good cheer and hospitality and be creative in the ways to find enjoyment with family or close friends that you feel safe with. Finally, thank you for your continued loyalty as a member of the Museum of Beer and Brewing. I hope everyone continues to stay safe and healthy. We sincerely hope you will enjoy this issue of the newsletter. If you think of a topic you would like explored, or would like to write an article, please contact me. We are always open to new ideas and welcome new writers. Darrell [email protected] The answer to last issue’s trivia question: From 1940 – 1965 Liebmann Brewing located in Brooklyn, New York ran an annual contest inviting customer input. What was the contest? The Answer: The Miss Rheingold contest. This issue’s trivia question: Which brewery owner has been enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame? 2 The Museum of Beer & Brewing is proud to introduce one of the new members of the Haerter also works with the State of Board of Directors to you. Wisconsin Technical College System. He takes pride in working with firefighters statewide to Matthew Haerter (Hair-ter) was born in develop and revise curriculum for firefighter Harvard, Illinois where he attended local certifications. He also worked with other area schools while being raised in a warm rural fire professionals to develop and then instruct atmosphere. He was also fortunate to have a Gateway Technical College’s Company Officer father who was the Director of Operations for Leadership Academy (COLA). the Illinois Air National Guard. This caused an Matt’s career has been marked with upbringing of clear expectations and results- involvement with national organizations oriented goal making. working to improve both technologies and Matt began his career in the fire service materials for firefighters. He is accredited by with the Harvard, Illinois Fire Protection the Center for Public Safety Excellence as a District in 1990. During this same time, he Chief Fire Officer Designee. worked for TEK Ambulance and Metro Medical Matt is active at multiple levels of the Services as a paramedic responding to 911 community and has been fortunate to work calls in the Chicago and Rockford, Illinois with Salem Boy Scout Troop 328 for 12 areas. As he approached the end of his years. Most recently he has served as an nursing education at Rockford College in Assistant Scout Master while also continuing 1996, he was hired by the City of Kenosha his membership with the National Eagle Scout Fire Department. Haerter has been a Association. Firefighter and Nationally Registered Recreationally, Matt enjoys fishing, Paramedic for 27 Years. working on his Jeep, and taking care of his During his two and a half decades with family’s farm located south of Oconomowoc the KFD, Haerter was involved with all where he lives with the love of his life divisions of the department. Within seven Rebecca. Three kids also keep things busy years of his initial hire, he was leading the with two in the UW college system and one KFD’s highly respected Basic Recruit Training just entering high school. In this location they program and was named the head of the have the good fortune to call home, they Training Division in 2003. Haerter was enjoy exceptional wildlife, sprawling acreage, promoted to Battalion Chief in 2005. Matt and phenomenal beer from their 4 taps served as the department’s Battalion Chief of located in the tap room. Matt and Becky Operations and was responsible for enjoy trying new barley pursuits, especially operational policy, budgets, and the KFD’s the budding local craft scene where they participation in the mutual aid box alarm recently found curbside delivery of 1/6th system (MABAS). He also lead the barrels is still allowed even with stay at home department’s apparatus committee. In 2019, orders! Haerter was hired by the Western Lakes Fire Matt’s time and talents will be a great District in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin as the addition to the museum board. Assistant Chief of Operations. He is responsible for all aspects of the WLFD’s response which covers 220 square miles and 18 communities with 225 personnel. New Members Welcome We would like to thank the people that have renewed their memberships since the last newsletter. Your interest in brewery history and the completion of the goal of having a beer and brewing museum in much appreciated. We welcome new members: Eric Morris - West Hills, CA Rina Morris - Los Angeles, CA Brian Leinbach - Marina Del Rey, CA We are glad you joined and look forward to seeing you at upcoming events.