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Crates of Shortys

Recently uncovered inside Mautz Tavern were not just one, but two crates full of these adorable little bottles, affectionately known as shortys.  Rhinelander Brewing Company was known for these back in the day - a 7 ounce, stubby little bottled filled with a light lager style beer.  Best guess on their age from doing some googling, I think these are from circa 1950?


A local Wisconsin brewery find from long ago




Isn't this just the cutest little thing?

Here is my timeline of the original Rhinelander Brewing Company

1882  - Brewery founded in Rhinelander, WI

1897  - Brewery burns down. Sorry folks. We're closed. The hodag out front shoulda told ya!

18?? - Ooh, yay, they rebuilt, open once again.

1920 - Dang it, closed again due to Prohibition. Beer dumped (insert sad face) and equipment sent to Mexico.

1933 - Yay, prohibition is over! Sold stock to make some money and opened 'er back up!

1967 - Ugh, closed again. Stupid big breweries sucking up all the market share.


From Rhinelander to Monroe

After the brewery in Rhinelander closed, the beer was still brewed for several decades by the Joseph Huber Brewing Company in Monroe, WI (think, Augsburger and Berghoff's).  In 1995, Joseph Huber Brewing Company filed for bankruptcy and was sold.

In 2006, a Canadian company purchased the Joseph Huber Company and the Huber brands. This Monroe brewery is now called Minhas Brewing.  In 2011, the company reintroduced the Rhinelander Shorty because they knew how nostalgic us beer lovers are.  Soon, the company would bring the brand back to Rhinelander, WI.

Enter the new Rhinelander Brewing Company - 2018

It's now a craft brewery, located in Rhinelander.  I don't even think they make the shorty beer in Rhinelander.  I think it's still made in Monroe.  But the brewery has a presence once again up in the Northwoods.

Long live the shorty!


Comments

  1. Praying GrandmotherNovember 10, 2019 at 8:24 PM

    Such great history for my family at that tavern!! My mother, Martha, grew up 2 houses away from the tavern. Her maiden name was Urban. She told me stories how your grandfather, Adalbert used to come over to her house as a young boy and give her "horseback rides" when she was just a little girl. This was especially fun for her during a time when she had Rheumatic Fever and had to stay in bed for a long time, not even allowed to get up and walk on her own. So when Adalbert would come and give her "horseback rides" she could get out of bed but didn't have to walk. In later years her father, my Grandpa Franz Urban would take us kids over to the tavern every Sunday after church and while he would have a beer, he would buy us each a chocolate bar....probably 5 cents or less in those days!

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