Lemp Brewery

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Lemp Brewery was the original name of the brewing company that became the Falstaff Brewing Corporation. Founded in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, in 1838, the brewery existed for many years as an independent label

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[edit] About

St. Louis is built upon a complex of natural caves which were once used for the lagering of beer by early German brewers. Underground caves are naturally cool, which was especially attractive to brewers before the advent of refrigeration. [1] Several breweries were built atop these natural caves, which were altered to suit their purposes. Stone arches and brick ceilings prevented water seepage and uneven cave floors were paved with brick. In addition to being used for the storage and lagering of beer, such naturally cool places were sometimes employed as beer gardens, places for entertainment.

John Adam Lemp was born on May 25, 1793, in Gruningen, in the German province of Hessen.[2] He came to St. Louis from Germany in 1838, started a brewery using natural caves for refrigeration. His brewery was a great success and John Adam Lemp would die a millionaire. [3]

His son William J. Lemp took over the business and built the Lemp Brewery industrial complex at 3500 Lemp Avenue which still stands in St. Louis today.[4][5] The Lemp Mansion, when it was constructed by the Lemp Family, included an underground tunnel through the natural cave system leading to the Lemp Brewery. The Lemp Family would use this tunnel to go to work.[5]

In 1870, the Lemp Brewery was the largest in the area. The Lemp family symbolized wealth and power. They would later fall from this high position, with the Lemp Brewery Complex being closed and long since abandoned except for Halloween Parties.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Milestones of Missouri's HiddenHallows
  2. ^ Lemp Falstaff Brewing History
  3. ^ The Lemp Mansion: America's First Lager Beer Brewers
  4. ^ Google Map Link to Lemp Brewery Complex at 3500 Lemp Ave St Louis, MO 63118
  5. ^ a b Lemp Mansion

[edit] External Links (further reading)