Breweries and Prohibition impact on German Culture
As German Americans found interest in settling in Missouri after immigrating to America, many helped develop and grow Franklin County. One of the bigger cities in the county was Washington. Many Germans started businesses in the town and helped it grow to become a city resemblant of german culture. Through the architecture and success of breweries started by Germans, the German heritage was reflected in the whole county.
A lot of the German production of wines and beer felt like it ended with the start of the prohibition and big manufacturing companies began to dominate the alcohol industry after the prohibition. With only a few small breweries left on their own today, many German American run businesses are not prominent. However, the impact of the breweries had a much larger impact and did not die with the prohibition. The Stulz Bros were able to do much more than just run a business and make beer. They were able to work to keep German culture intact. By having their advertisements for their company printed with German song books they were able to keep the German tradition of music and drinking prominent. The song books they printed not only promoted their business and kept tradition alive, but it also showed the German language. The brothers also wanted to keep drinking in a good light with the rest of the Americans. They said that their business was for those who enjoyed drinking and were not “drunkards.” They worried about harming the welfare of the people and keeping the German American reputation in line.
The Culture Surrounding Breweries/Drinking
Schnaider’s Beer Garden also left a large mark on the impact of German tradition in Missouri. The company was a large, welcoming place for those to gather, enjoy beer, and enjoy entertainment. The beer garden eventually shut down, however, The Malt House building still stands today. It is a historical site and sells local brews to those who visit. Even though the building has turned to be more of a restaurant bar and venue, it still helps conquer the goal of bringing those together upholding the same German traditions and principals that were once wanted at the original Beer Garden. The image left behind after the beer garden impacted the look of casual drinking and the social aspects behind it.
Drinking culture played a huge role in the Missouri economy and promoted German drinking culture. In Franklin, the John B. Busch Brewery operated in Washington, MO until prohibition ended their production. After prohibition was in effect, they made non-alcoholic beverages to keep them in business. Busch’s brother Adolphus started the Anheuser Busch Brewery in St. Louis, as well as his George who started another Busch Brewery. All of them sought to have companies that were focused around German tradition and fostered a community around their products. John’s company, to those in Washington, promoted drinking their products as a very happy and social experience. This correlates with the drinking culture Germans curated in America. The Brewery was a perfect representation of German Americans and their architecture, lifestyle and presence in not only Franklin County but in Missouri.
