Joseph Schnaider’s late 1880’s were a time of trusts – well capitalized businesses that created monopolies in certain industries. Railroads, steel, oil, tobacco and even beer faced stiff competition, buyouts, and consolidation. Coupled with rapid technological advances in the beer world, a business advantage was created for those who knew how to play it. One of the first breakthroughs was mechanical refrigeration, eliminating the need for caves. Refrigeration enabled year-round production, and when extended to railway boxcars, led ambitious brewers to develop regional and national distribution. Mass production reduced costs all down the line. Large breweries like Lemp and Anheuser-Busch took early advantage, establishing filling depots and rail centers across the country. Pasteurization and improved bottle closures extended shelf life and made global distribution possible.
Continue reading “1910: Schnaider’s Beer Empire – Part 3”