Winnebago County Beer: A Heady History - Paperback

by Lee Reiherzer (Author)

Winnebago County has long been a bellwether of Wisconsin beer making.

In the mid-1800s, German immigrants launched small breweries in Butte des Morts, Menasha, Neenah, Oshkosh and Winneconne. By the 1950s, breweries such as Walter Brothers, Peoples and the Oshkosh Brewing Company had a combined output of more than 100,000 barrels of beer annually, and iconic brands like Gem Pilsener and Chief Oshkosh were known across the state. This rich tradition continues today with the rise of modern craft breweries in Omro, Oshkosh and Neenah. Local author and founder of the Oshkosh Beer website Lee Reiherzer reveals stories behind the breweries, past and present, that fostered an enduring beer culture.

Author Biography

Lee Reiherzer's fondness for all things beer developed after his father gave him a taste of Bohemian Club Lager. That sip triggered a lifelong interest in beer and brewing history. He launched the Oshkosh Beer website in 2010 and has since written dozens of articles about his favorite subject. In 2012, he co-authored The Breweries of Oshkosh: Their Rise and Fall. In his spare time, Reiherzer enjoys hop cultivation and is an award-winning homebrewer who loves brewing the old-time lagers that were once revered in Winnebago County. He and his wife, Denise Lanthier, make their home in Oshkosh.