The Grand Rapids Brewing Co.
In December of 1892, six local breweries made the decision to
consolidate their operations in a joint venture to become a larger
player in the making and distribution of beer throughout the midwest.
The Grand Rapids Brewing Co. was comprised of The Kusterer
Brewing Company, Tusch Brothers, George W. Brandt & Company,
Veit & Rathman, Adolph Goetz, and The Frey Brothers. January 1,
1893, marked the release of their signature brand: Silver Foam.
In a very short span of time, The Grand Rapids Brewing Company
became the largest producer of beer in West Michigan. As the fame
of their Silver Foam spread from state to state, it became highly
demanded in all parts of the country.
Yet, history was written for the brewery as Michigan voted to go dry
during Prohibition. On April 27, 1918, the last pint of Silver Foam
was sold.
In December of 1993, exactly one hundred years from the time of its
original inception, the doors were open to the historically themed
Grand Rapids Brewing Co. Now over a decade old, you can say that
the Grand Rapids Brewing Co. has existed in three centuries: 1800s,
1900s, and the current century.
Enthusiasts continue to bring in glasses, pictures, and artifacts from the
turn-of-the-century brewery. One woman found half of the original
sign that hung on the Ionia and Michigan Street building—as she was
cleaning her great uncle's inherited barn. The sign was facing down
and being used as a shelf.
In a different incident, the brewery was called by archeologists digging
at a Michigan training camp for soldiers during the Spanish-American
War. There, in what must have been their trash, were dozens of
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