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Kurth's Brewing, Columbus, WI

Kurth's Beer from Columbus, WI


Well, the online auction of items from the tavern has been over now for a few months and at times I find myself still reflecting on how valuable some of those items were to people.  Our signature piece was the Kurth's Beer sign that had been sitting in the garage for upwards of 70 years.  It's that sign that has inspired this blog post, which focuses on all the vintage Kurth Brewing items that were found inside.

Kurth's Brewing Beer Sign
Kurth's Beer Sign
If you want to know more about Kurth Brewery, I encourage you to check out this July 2016 article by Lisa Cestkowski for the Columbus Journal
https://www.wiscnews.com/columbusjournal/news/local/kurth-brewery-was-barreling-full-steam-ahead-until-flames-altered-the-course-of-history/article_a5cd6ef0-4a02-5501-bd40-1084d25fe168.html

I'm sure it makes sense that there was an abundance of Kurth's Beer served at the tavern. Since the brewery was located in Columbus, WI it was likely the closest brewery to the tavern and it was beer brewed by fellow German immigrants. In its heyday, it was no tiny operation, producing 100 barrels of beer a day.  A fire in 1916 and then Prohibition greatly strained the brewery. They produced soda and non-alcholic beer during prohibition and then took another shot at brewing beer once prohibition was repealed, but they were never able to bring it back to the prosperous operation that it once was, finally shutting their doors for good in 1949.

Kurth's Cherry Sparkle Soda
Prohibition Era Cherry Sparkle Soda Sign from the Kurth Co, Columbus, WI. This sign was hanging on the wall in the upstairs dance hall


Today, the only remaining building from the brewery is still owned by the Kurth Family and they run a small tap house out of it on Friday nights.  It's another place to check out authentic tavern tables such as those built by my great grand-father ( https://mautztavern.blogspot.com/2019/12/tavern-tables.html) and even drink Kurth Beer. Although no recipe of Kurth beer was preserved, Point Brewery was able to find a recipe from 1867 they feel was likely similar and that is what you will be drinking on tap at Kurth's Brewery in downtown Columbus, WI.  

Below is a collection of Kurth Brewery items from inside the Mautz Tavern.  Some great finds for beer collectors were to be had during our auction.

Of particular note, is the two-sided, lighted sign.  As far as we know, it is one of only three that exist, the other two which are currently on the Kurth's Brewery building in Columbus, WI.  It is a gem that was sitting inside the garage at the tavern for some 70+ years.  It sold at auction for over $6,000.00.  I hope it is now in the hands of an appreciative beer memorabilia collector.

Kurth's Beer Sign, The Kurth Co
Kurth's Beer Sign, Sold at Auction for Over $6,000



Kurth's Banner Beer
Kurth's Banner Beer Bottles


Kurth's Beer Barrel
The Kurth Company Beer Barrel


J.H. Kurth & Co. Good for 5 Cents
J.H. Kurth & Co., good for 5 Cents if returned with bottle in Good Shape


Kurth's Banner Beer, The Kurth Co.
Kurth's Banner Beer Bottle


Kurth's Beer Tapper, Columbus, WI
Kurth's Beer Tapper

The Kurth Co Beer Tapper
Kurth's Beer Tapper



Comments

  1. Praying GrandmotherJuly 3, 2020 at 4:47 PM

    Very interesting to read! I'm amazed at the valuable items that just laid around for SO many years!!

    ReplyDelete

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