Budweiser’s 1934 Return to Louisville, U of L’s “Teaching History With Museums” Course, September 12 “Hometown Magic” Program, and More
Grab your Monday morning coffee and get excited because the final countdown to Summer Beer Fest at Frazier is here!
Graphic featuring logos of breweries and beverages to be represented at Summer Beer Fest at Frazier
This Saturday, August 7, the Frazier is hosting our first ever beer fest — an experience that will serve as an annual fundraiser for the museum with the added bonus of being a fun community event. There will be over 200 styles of beer representing 80 breweries, 20 additional beer styles for VIP guests, five different food trucks, and live music acts Brother Smith and Eric Bolander.
To celebrate our own history with beer — namely, the fact that a beer distributor operating in our building reintroduced Budweiser Draught Beer to Louisville after Prohibition — we’ve partnered with Akasha to brew our own Frazier Bourbon Barrel-Aged Craft Beer. You can sample it in the Kentucky Craft Beer section!
With so much packed into one afternoon, here’s everything you need to know:
The Place: The Frazier’s Pop-up Beer Garden, 829 West Main Street
The Time: 3 – 6 p.m. (2 p.m. VIP entry)
The Beer: Our beer list includes every style you can think of and more, such as Butchertown Brewing’s Banana Pastry Sour, Great Lakes’ Lemon Hefeweizen, Terrapin’s Peach Dreamsicle, Left Hand’s Peanut Butter Milk Stout, and 3 Floyds’ Zombie Dust, among dozens of other lagers, ales, IPAs, sours, ciders, and seltzers! VIP exclusives include a Willett Bourbon Barrel Aged Chocolate Stout from Flying Dog, Grapefruit Goggle Fogger from Fat Head’s, Sour Me Mimosa from DuClaw, and a Lemon Ginger Seltzer from Apocalypse. From Abita to Yazoo, there will be something for everyone!
The Food: When you need some grub to go with your tasting journey, we will have All Thai’d Up, Good Belly, HurriKanes, Kebab on Wheels, The Comfy Cow, and Froggy’s Popcorn on the menu.
The Fun: Our friends at the Louisville Ale Trail will be doing live home-brew demonstrations. There will also be special tappings from Butchertown Brewing, Against the Grain, and Lagunitas throughout the afternoon!
If you haven’t already purchased tickets, both VIP and General Admission tickets are still available! Buy now at fraziermuseum.org/beerfest. Tickets will be available for purchase at the main guest entrance the day of the festival. Parking options include nearby downtown lots and garages, but Uber and Lyft services are also encouraged.
Proceeds from Summer Beer Fest at Frazier will go towards supporting our exhibitions and educational programs as well as a donation to the HOP Foundation.
We at the Frazier are excited to bring you this awesome inaugural event and join the line-up of craft beer fests in Louisville. We hope to meet you in the Frazier Beer Garden on Saturday!
Cheers,
Hayley Harlow Rankin
Administrative Chief of Engagement
Frazier History Museum
This Week in the Museum
Sippin’ With Stephen: Who Closed Last Night? With Team LAT
In this week’s episode of Sippin’ With Stephen — or should I say Sudsin’ With Stephen — I talk all about beer with “Team LAT” — the three founders of the Louisville Ale Trail. In shifting my focus from Bourbon to beer, my goal is twofold: first, to bring attention to the ever-growing craft beer industry, which supplements Kentucky’s Bourbon tourism and Louisville’s burgeoning culinary scene; and second, to promote the first annual Summer Beer Fest at Frazier, which takes place Saturday, August 7.
My guests are Michael Moeller, Public Relations Director for the Louisville Ale Trail; David Satterly, Founder of the Kentucky Beer Network; and John Ronayne, Owner and Operator of Brewgrass Homebrew Supply and Founder and Executive Producer of Boy Meets Wort Media.
In our conversation, these three gentlemen discuss the creation and current membership of the Louisville Ale Trail, a passport program that has quickly become not only a great asset for tourism in Louisville but a complement to the existing Kentucky Bourbon Trail®. They also explain why the Louisville Ale Trail is a sponsor for Summer Beer Fest at Frazier, an event they say could become an annual tradition.
Finally, in keeping with Sippin’ With Stephen custom, Michael introduces me to Who Closed Last Night? — a craft beer cocktail that incorporates Monnik Beer Company’s Eagle Skull Saison. The recipe for this delicious cocktail can be found below.
Who Closed Last Night?
Prepare in a shaker with ice.
2 oz. tequila
1.5 oz. grapefruit juice
Splash of raspberry puree
Splash of lime juice
1 oz. demerara syrup
Shake and strain. Pour into tulip glass with ice. Float with Monnik Beer Co.’s Eagle Skull Saison. Garnish with lime wedge.
Recipe created by Kirsten Swanson, Monnik Beer Company.
Stephen Yates
Community & Corporate Sales Manager
Budweiser Draught Beer’s Return to Louisville
Photo of the businesses located at 829 – 833 West Main Street, 1936. Credit: ULPA CS 145295, Caufield & Shook Collection, University of Louisville Photographic Archives.
Did you know the firm operating in what is now the Frazier got to reintroduce Budweiser Draught Beer to Louisville?
As most students of U.S. history know, from 1920 to 1933, a nationwide constitutional ban prohibited the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages. After the ban was lifted, however, many of the most established beers, spirits, and alcoholic beverage products hit the shelves following a 13-year absence.
One such product was Budweiser, the world-renowned beer produced by the St. Louis-based brewing company Anheuser-Busch.
Between April 21 and June 21, 1934, Anheuser-Busch placed about half a dozen ads in Louisville’s newspaper, the Courier-Journal, announcing Budweiser’s return to the city’s retail market. In the ads, the distributor is identified as John G. Epping, a firm located at 712 – 716 Logan Street in the Smoketown neighborhood. The ads specifically promote Budweiser as “the king of bottled beer” — never mentioning “draught beer,” or draft beer.
Ad for Anheuser-Busch published on page 16 of the August 7, 1934 issue of the Courier-Journal.
But on August 7, Anheuser-Busch published an ad stating the following:
“Retail dealers in the Louisville territory will be supplied with Anheuser-Busch Fine Beers, both in bottles and draught by Quest & Seaman Co., Inc., who have been appointed distributors for these leaders in the quality field. Budweiser Draught Beer is now available in Louisville for the first time since Prohibition. – Quest & Seaman Company, Inc, Distributors, 829 West Main St., Louisville, Ky.”
So it appears the firm based in what is now the Frazier History Museum reintroduced Budweiser Draught Beer to the city of Louisville.
Simon Meiners
Communications & Research Specialist
Curator’s Corner: Fehr’s, Falls City, and Oertels Beer Artifacts
At the Frazier, we devote a lot of attention to the history of Bourbon in Louisville — with good reason. But there also happens to be a rich and vibrant beer heritage in this city. The first brewery in Louisville belonged to Elisha Applegate and opened in 1808. The brewing industry grew rapidly with the arrival of English and Scottish immigrants in the 1830s and German immigrants in the 1840s. By the late 1800s, beer production in Louisville grew from about 50,000 barrels to over 500,000 barrels by 1902.
Three of the largest and most popular breweries in the city, Fehr’s, Falls City, and Oertels were all founded during this time of rapid expansion. All three of these brands were able to survive Prohibition by selling soft drinks, ice, and a low-alcohol beer know as near beer. When Prohibition ended in 1933, all three brands prospered and beer production in Kentucky reached a peak of 2.25 million barrels in 1954. In the late 1950s, increased distribution and marketing of national brands sent local breweries into decline. Fehr’s closed its doors in 1964, Oertels in 1967, and Falls City in 1978.
If you purchase a VIP ticket to Summer Beer Fest at Frazier, which takes place this Saturday, you’ll get the opportunity to see some super cool objects related to these famous Louisville brands.
Fehr’s medal, 1883
First, we’ve got a Fehr’s First-place Medal for Best Beer at the Southern Exposition, 1883, as well as a full bottle of Fehr’s beer, c. 1940s.
Advertisement for Falls City, early 1900s
Second, we’ve got a beautiful, enameled metal Falls City advertisement, early 1900s.
Oertels tray, c. 1935
Third, we’ve got an Oertels tray, c. 1935, that was probably used to serve drinks or tip one’s bartender.
Be sure to stop by and visit me and Collections Manager Tish Boyer at our table in the VIP section. There, you can see these and other items and learn a little about Louisville’s beer history.
Cheers!
Amanda Briede
Curator
Museum Store: Salty Sartorial Advice
Pretzel necklaces to be sold at Summer Beer Fest at Frazier on Saturday, August 7
It’s Beer Fest week so we want you to enjoy some salty carbs along with your cold beers and live music. Pretzel necklaces are available at Summer Beer Fest at Frazier this Saturday.
U of L’s “Teaching History With Museums” Course Hosted by the Frazier Museum
Students enrolled in University of Louisville’s “Teaching History With Museums” course enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the Frazier History Museum’s collection with Collections Manager Tish Boyer, 2021
Eleven years ago, I received a phone call from a professor with the University of Louisville who was playing around with the thought of offering a unique experience for Social Studies education students — running a summer course off campus at a local history museum. We hadn’t hosted anything like that here at the Frazier before, but we were definitely intrigued to learn more about her idea.
I’m so glad we took the meeting and were open to trying something new. Summer 2021 will now be the fifth time we have worked with professor Caroline C. Sheffield, PhD to host her “Teaching History With Museums” course. The course explores the educational role of history museums and implications for both teachers and museum educators. It is intended to provide an opportunity to explore the historical collection and resources a local history museum provides, develop museum-based instructional materials rooted in national and state standards, and critically analyze the role of museums in K – 12 education.
“I have had the pleasure of offering “Teaching History With Museums” at the Frazier History Museum five times over the last 11 years. Each time, my students and I are warmly welcomed with a place to hold class and opportunities to meet with the Frazier’s museum professionals. The education and exhibits teams are always generous with their time and information. Every time I offer the course, the most frequent comment I get is about how much my students appreciate the time, information, and opportunities the Frazier team has given them over the duration of the course.” – Caroline C. Sheffield, PhD
The course is offered to both undergraduate and graduate students, and BS, MEd, MAT, and PhD students have participated over the past five sessions. Although the content and in-class experiences are similar, the students are expected to complete different final projects according to whether they are a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral student. This year’s students will present lesson ideas to the Frazier Museum education team focused on utilizing KentuckyShow! and the Cool Kentucky exhibition with students in meaningful ways.
The course also visits two additional sites, one historic home and one other museum. This year, the class enjoyed experiences at the Speed Art Museum and the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum.
Special thanks to Caroline Sheffield for having this terrific idea so many years ago and putting in the work to make it a reality — not to mention having since joined the Frazier Museum Teacher Advisory Board, sharing knowledge and lessons at countless Frazier Museum professional development sessions for educators, and being an all-around great friend to the Frazier.
Megan Schanie
Manager of School and Teacher Programs
Cool Kentucky: Hometown Magic
Lance Burton
Mac King
Together again! I’m talking about magicians Lance Burton and Mac King, both of whom are Kentucky natives.
Yes, they are together in our Cool Kentucky exhibition — figuratively speaking, anyway: both Mac’s stage-worn suit with extra pockets and Lance’s stage-worn strait jacket, along with other objects on loan to the Frazier, are on display in the “Magic Kentucky” section of the exhibition.
Mac King’s suit and Lance Burton’s strait jacket
Rachel Platt in the “Magic Kentucky” section of Cool Kentucky
And yes, they were together growing up in Kentucky and traveling in the same circles performing in their early days!
This photograph of Mac and Lance in performance attire dates back to 1979 or 1980, Mac says — although Lance is better with dates, he adds, so I ought to confirm that with him.
From left, Mac King and Lance Burton in performance attire, undated. Credit: Doc Dixon.
So when I say together again, here’s what I really mean!
We are thrilled to announce we have Lance and Mac together for a program on Sunday, September 12 at 2 p.m.
There will be some discussion about how they got into the business, their early days together, Lance moving back home to Kentucky from Vegas, and Mac’s return to the stage in Vegas after a shutdown due to COVID.
But don’t worry, there will also be some magic performed by both men — and you will get a chance to meet them. After all, they are two of the biggest names in the business, and we think that is so cool.
Here’s everything you need to know about the program and how to get your ticket for this “magical” experience.
Flyer for the Frazier’s “Cool Kentucky: Hometown Magic” program
Rachel Platt
Director of Community Engagement
Megaphone Monday: Heather Gotlib, Manager of Youth and Family Programs
Want to know more about the folks who make the Frazier tick? Tune in to Megaphone Monday! In each episode, Curator of Guest Experience Mick Sullivan interviews one of the Frazier’s staff members — across the room, through megaphones. It’s a fun and silly way to learn about the good folks who work here at the museum.
In this week’s episode, Heather Gotlib, the fearless leader of our camp programs, sheds light on a wide range of subjects, including — but not limited to — peanut butter and jelly hot dogs, the peculiar scent of marshmallow dog shampoo, and volcanic eruptions that have led to classic works of fiction.
Mick Sullivan
Curator of Guest Experience
History All Around Us
Billy Beer and J. R. Ewing’s Private Stock
Gary Fogle with six-packs of Falls City Brewing Company’s Billy Beer and Pearl Brewing Company’s J. R. Ewing’s Private Stock
Since we’re counting down to our first ever Summer Beer Fest at Frazier, I’ve been paying a lot of attention to beer lately — which is what prompted me to recall the two six-packs of novelty beer gathering dust in my basement. Both products represent a moment in pop culture and history — and one has ties to a U.S. president and the city of Louisville. But beer is outside my wheelhouse, so I’ve asked my husband Gary to do the explaining. — Rachel Platt, Director of Community Engagement
I am the proud owner of 12 unopened cans of vintage beer: one six-pack of Billy Beer and another of J. R. Ewing’s Private Stock. Both were brewed and canned more than 40 years ago.
My father bought them thinking they would be a novelty (and maybe worth something) someday. When he passed away in 2008, my brothers and I divided up some of his belongings — and when no one else wanted the two six-packs, I took them.
Billy Beer was promoted by Billy Carter back in 1977 when his older brother Jimmy Carter was president. I assume Billy, a gas station owner and beer drinker, figured he might as well try to make some money off his brother’s fame. So, Falls City Brewing Company, which had it headquarters and a plant in Louisville, produced the beer for about a year. Doe-Anderson Advertising Agency in Louisville promoted it. I’m not sure how many are left, but I have six of them.
J. R. Ewing’s Private Stock is named after the fictional character J. R. Ewing on the iconic TV series Dallas, which ran from 1978 to 1991. J. R. Beer came on the market in 1980 and was produced by the Pearl Brewing Company in San Antonio, Texas.
I don’t know if Larry Hagman, the actor who played J. R., ever drank the beer named for him during an episode of Dallas. I do know in a couple of episodes of The Simpsons, Homer drinks a Billy Beer. That makes sense. That seems like the kind of beer Homer would drink. And I bet if Homer had been a real person, he and Billy Carter would have been good drinking buddies.
Now, the question in your mind is whether I can make millions should I decide to sell this beer on eBay or to a collector. Well, the short answer is no — or should I say, HELL NO!
Let’s begin with Billy Beer. One estimate of the number of Billy Beer cans made is TWO BILLION. As a result, it is worth about 25 cents at most — and that’s only if it remains in very good condition, and if you can find a collector who actually needs or wants one.
So, I won’t be getting rich on that six-pack anytime soon.
As far as J. R. Beer, I found one person on eBay asking as much as $50 (or best offer) for an unopened six-pack.
That means I'm not getting rich on J. R., either.
Maybe one day, a great, great, great-grandchild of mine, having inherited one of these six-packs — which, by that point, would be more than 200 years old — could sell it for a hundred bucks. Maybe.
Then again, they might just pull the tabs and drink them.
I wonder what 200-year-old beer would taste like?
Gary Fogle
Guest Contributor
Staff Pick
Becoming Muhammad Ali
Photo of Wilma Rudolph visiting children patients at Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville, October 27, 1960. Published in the Courier-Journal, October 28, 1960. Photo: Jim Harlan. Credit: newspapers.com.
In late October 1960, a car driving around Louisville carried two of the greatest athletes in American history. Three-time Olympic gold winner Wilma Rudolph was in town to help promote the first professional fight of fellow Olympic champion Cassius Clay, the future Muhammad Ali. It’s hard to imagine a more athletically talented carload.
Muhammad Ali’s life seems filled with huge moments like this, but understanding the day-to-day social and historic environment that created Muhammad Ali has always been challenging, even for a life-long Louisville resident.
Front cover of Becoming Muhammad Ali (2019) by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander
Last October, a book aimed at middle grade readers that paints a surprisingly enlightening picture was published. Becoming Muhammad Ali (2019) is co-written by James Patterson and Newberry Medal-winner Kwame Alexander. The book switches between narrator-driven prose and Ali’s own perspective, which is voiced by Alexander’s free-verse poetry. The result is a fast, honest look at the boxer’s early life — one that perfectly mimics the superstar’s gift of gab.
The insights into Louisville’s neighborhoods, social structures, and geography are beautifully woven into the story. It’s a nationally lauded book, but it’s also one that will serve as a great springboard for curious young local minds to dig deeper into the history of the city around them.
For anyone else looking to explore the subject of Ali himself, mark your calendars for the September 19 debut of Ken Burns’ latest film Muhammad Ali. Watch a preview via KET here.
Mick Sullivan
Curator of Guest Experience
