It's hard to believe Pottsville supported not 1 but 2 successful breweries for decades right up until 1976. Thanks to national marketing, many know Yuengling as America's oldest brewery. But, Mt. Carbon's Bavarian beer was more popular than Yuengling around Pottsville from the mid 50s til the mid 70s. It was so popular that Yuengling bought the Bavarian recipe & leftover kegs, cases, & bottles when Mt. Carbon Brewery closed in 1976.
Lorenz Schmidt purchased the old Ernest Kleinert property at the corner of South Centre & Main on September 16, 1884 to build his Mt. Carbon Brewery. It opened in 1886 & production began in May, 1887. The 4 story brick brewery was impressive. Before this, Schmidt operated the Orchard Brewery that can trace its roots to 1845.
Even though Mt. Carbon Brewery ceased operations in 1976 (the year when I was old enough to enjoy my 1st legal drink), Yuengling continued to use the brewery to produce Bavarian beer for a couple years. But, as demographics & drinking habits changed, & customer loyalty faded, Bavarian soon disappeared into coal region beer history. I'm fortunate to have a Bavarian beer thermometer on my office wall--a reminder that it was my dad's favorite beer when we grew up in Coaldale during the 50s, 60s, & 70s.
Old timers--time to share some beer memories. What was your favorite beer back in the 50s, 60s, & 70s? Was it Bavarian, Kaier's, Yuengling, F&S, Columbia, Stegmaier or some other brand? Do you recall your favorite barroom or social club back then?
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