Beer and Me

    I think I had my first beers in Germany at the age of twelve - a sampler. My father, a beer enthusiast, took me overseas during a business trip and thought it was time for an introduction. It may have been at Schiessstatle Koniglich Bayerische Biergarten, in Munich. I imagine that they were great beers but I have little recollection. Those, that know who I am, know that I must return there someday - Schiessstatle!. - Mark Schiess

    Beer has beer in my family for centuries. My great-grand father's brother was George Ringler who owned a large brewery, George Ringler and Company Brewery, in NYC from 1872 till prohibition. My family also had a farm in New Jersey that grew apples. Yes, there was cider and AppleJack. When prohibition came (January 16, 1920), the brewery failed to survived. Non-alcoholic 'Nourishing Brew' (see bottle at above link) failed to carry the business.  Actually the brewery survived under the ownership of George Jetter (William Ringler's son-in -law) until April 1, 1925 when the brewery was fined for brewing 'real' beer. The officers were each fined $1000 and the brewery was ordered closed. It took over 100 locks to close the brewery. The farm's apple trees were destroyed.
    My great-grand father, Henry Schiess owned and operated the Laclede Exchange, a large tavern in the mercantile area of St. Louis. This was a favored "watering hole" for those preparing to venture west before 1900. Henry's son Fred married George's niece Marie and their first son, Justin, who was my father.
    My father continued to  make wine in our cellar until the great grape explosion of '68. In college my girl friend and I made "Old Normandy" wine in my dorm room. A 'dry' and strict campus where these things were not done ;-). All went well until we had a rather cloudy batch. I was a chemistry assistant and decided to use the laboratory and all of it's filtering capabilities (and some of the grain ETOH). I overspent my time as filters kept clogging. Several professors walked in and laughed, told me how sick we would be if we drank any of this batch, and that there was to be no more 'Old Normandy'. The Chemistry-Biology building smelled like grapes for a month!
    The college attended above was in Ohio and at that time only 3.2% beer was available to those between the ages of 18 and 21years. I did not care much for the beer. I had turned 18 in New York and at that time 18 was the legal drinking age for all liquor. We headed for the 'Jack' and coke, the gin and tonic, the Daiquiri etc. Beer was an so-so occasion, the 3.2 tasted watered down . Then came the summer and I returned to New York for work I had found in a 'boat yard'. A friend and I were sanding the bottom of a nice sloop - It must have been about 130 degrees and there was no shade. The owner of the sailboat came by and complemented us on our work, talked awhile and then...he hand us a two six-packs of Carlsberg-the real Denmark stuff. This was a divine experience - as this was truly nectar from the gods. Nothing had ever quenched my thirst as well as this. The world became a better place for me from that time on. Still to this day beer is the choice beverage for me.
    That was many years ago and I have enjoyed many fine beers since then. Many were homebrews from friends. However, much of that time, I did not brew beer. Now I have converted my office shower into a mini-brewery. What a wonderful place to brew beer! I have an acre of apples and also grow grapes. I figure my family has always brewed and with the yard and all these apples it is time to hold up the tradition and make beer, some wine and cider.   Beer is the preference though. Wine may come later. Cider maybe next fall. I have some of the best apples which should not go to waste. Several  years ago with the advice from friends and salespeople, I started brewing  once/month (Totem Pole Porter, Fireplace Irish Stout, Nockvemberfest). Spring Ale and 'Fish on a Bicycle-Hoosier Stout.  Now there is usually something always brewing in the shower stall. What a great time for me, friends and family. please - click here for pics. I now keg most my beer as the quantity increased. This has led to the need to build a refrigeration system and my "Bar-Tap"cart.

The pictures above are of the Laclede Exchange saloon in St. Louis owned by Henry Schiess, standing in the doorway of both pictures. The date is about 1890 as the posters on the buildings advertise
Excelsior and Winklemeyer beers at the their addresses of that time.

Prosit

Four of the seven Ringler brothers. L->R, F. A. Ringler, John Ringler, Justin August Ringler (my Great-grand father) and George Ringler owner of his Brewery.