Rheingold Beer was first produced and marketed by the Rheingold Brewery (also known as the Liebmann Brewery) from 1883 until 1987. Since then, it has been sold by various companies, including the G. Heileman Brewing Company, Pabst Brewing Company, and Drinks Americas. As of 2011, Rheingold Beer was available in several states across the US, including New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Georgia, and Florida. The beer is known for its distinct dry smoothness, which is achieved through a slow, Old World technique of double fermentation.
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Rheingold Beer Distributors in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey
Rheingold Beer, produced and marketed by Rheingold Brewery (also known as Rheingold Breweries or Liebmann Breweries) from 1883 to 1987, was once the leading beer brand in New York State. Although the original brewery ended its production and marketing of the beer in 1987, Rheingold Beer has been sold by other companies intermittently since then.
New York
You can purchase Rheingold Beer in New York from Manhattan Beer Distributors by calling 718-232-9300.
Connecticut
In Connecticut, Rheingold Beer is distributed by Star Distributors. You can contact them by calling 203-932-3636.
New Jersey
There are several distributors of Rheingold Beer in New Jersey:
- L.A. Piccirillo in Newark: 973-589-8078
- Warren Distributing in Flanders: 973-927-2727
- Kristen Distributing in Elizabeth: 908-354-1512
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Rheingold Brewing Co
Over the years, the company changed hands several times. In 1964, the Liebmann family sold the company to Pepsi-Cola United Bottlers, and in subsequent years, it was purchased by Chock full o'Nuts and then by Christian Schmidt Brewing Company. Despite these changes in ownership, Rheingold Beer remained a popular brand, especially in New York, where it was the leading beer brand in the state during the 1940s, 1950s, and early 1960s.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the company faced some challenges, and the original Rheingold Brewery building in Brooklyn was torn down in 1981. However, the brand survived, and in 1996, veteran beer industry executive Mike Mitaro licensed the rights to the Rheingold brand and relaunched Rheingold Beer in 1998.
Today, Rheingold Beer is distributed by various companies in different states, including New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey. The beer is still brewed using traditional methods, and the company takes pride in the fact that it has not watered down its product or lowered its original gravity, resulting in a robust and hearty beer.
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Rheingold's ABV percentage
Rheingold Beer is a pale lager with an ABV of 5.0%. It is brewed the same way it has been for the last 30 years, with no water added. Rheingold is also kraeusened, which means it is fermented twice, using the slow, Old World technique that gives it its distinct dry smoothness. Budweiser is one of the only other premium beers that use this technique.
Rheingold has never lowered its original gravity, which is a measure of how robust or hearty a beer is. Other beers have lowered their original gravity from as high as 12.6 in 1970 to 10.5 today. In comparison, Rheingold's original gravity remains at 12.1.
Rheingold's recipe has changed over the years, from the dry style of the war years to its traditional 1930s style. It has been known as Rheingold Beer since 2003.
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Rheingold's brewing method
Rheingold Beer is currently distributed by Manhattan Beer Distributors in New York, Star Distributors in Connecticut, and L.A. Piccirillo, Warren Distributing, and Kristen Distributing in New Jersey.
Rheingold Beer is brewed in the same way it was 30 years ago, without adding water to the final product. Rheingold is also "kraeusened", which means it is fermented twice. This is a slow, Old World technique that gives Rheingold its distinct dry smoothness. Rheingold has never lowered its original gravity, which is a measure of how robust or hearty a beer is.
Rheingold Beer was first brewed in 1883 by the Rheingold Brewery, also referred to as Rheingold Breweries or Liebmann Breweries. The brewery was founded by Samuel Liebmann and his three sons, and the company was run by the Liebmann family until 1964. At its peak, the company owned five plants across the United States and Rheingold was the leading beer brand in New York State. The Rheingold Brewery building in Brooklyn was torn down in 1981.
The Rheingold brand name was first used in 1883 and there are several explanations for its origin. One explanation is that "Rheingold" was an allusion to the Rhein (Rhine) River in Germany. Another story claims that a conductor at a banquet held after an opera performance declared that the beer was the colour of "Rheingold", in reference to the opera "Das Rheingold". A third version suggests that a special beer was brewed for a dinner honouring the head of the Metropolitan Opera, and it was named "Rheingold" and introduced as a permanent product due to its popularity.
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Rheingold's history
Rheingold Beer has a long and fascinating history that began in the mid-19th century. Here is a detailed account of the brand's evolution over the years:
Origins and Early Years:
The story of Rheingold Beer began with Samuel Liebmann, a German-Jewish brewer who immigrated to the United States in 1854 to escape government oppression. Liebmann, along with his three sons, Joseph, Henry, and Charles, settled in Brooklyn, New York, and established a brewery at the corner of Forest and Bremen Streets. Within a year, they had purchased a 6.4-acre site and built a new plant, marking the beginnings of the S. Liebmann Brewery.
Growth and Expansion:
Under the Liebmann family's management, the brewery thrived and expanded. By 1877, just 14 years after its founding, the brewery's production had increased to 39,000 barrels annually. The Liebmanns continued to grow their business, acquiring nearby breweries and implementing innovative refrigeration methods. By 1907, the Rheingold Brewery, as it was now known, was the largest and most advanced brewing facility in the eastern United States.
Challenges and Adaptations:
The onset of World War I and the associated resentment towards Germany and German products presented a significant challenge for the Liebmann Brewery. This was exacerbated by the introduction of Prohibition in 1920, which banned the manufacturing and trading of alcohol. However, the Liebmanns persevered, producing non-alcoholic beverages and concentrated malt and hops extracts to survive during this period.
Post-Prohibition Success:
With the end of Prohibition in 1933, the Rheingold Brewery resumed beer production and introduced its flagship brand, Rheingold Beer. The name "Rheingold," alluding to the legendary ring from the Rhine River in Germany, was reportedly inspired by the colour of the beer. Rheingold quickly gained popularity, becoming the leading beer brand in New York State during the 1940s, 1950s, and early 1960s. The annual "Miss Rheingold" contest, launched in 1940, also became a prominent part of the brand's marketing strategy.
Changing Hands:
Despite its success, rising costs and competition from national brands caught up with Rheingold in the early 1960s. In 1964, the Liebmann family sold the company to Pepsi-Cola United Bottlers, marking the end of family ownership. Rheingold then changed hands several times over the following decades, with companies such as Chock full o'Nuts, Christian Schmidt Brewing Company, and G. Heileman Brewing Company taking over at different times.
Recent Developments:
In the late 1990s, veteran beer industry executive Mike Mitaro licensed the rights to the Rheingold brand and relaunched Rheingold Beer in 1998. The brand has continued to be sold intermittently by various companies, with some gaps in distribution. Today, Rheingold Beer is once again available in select states, including New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey, offering drinkers a taste of its longstanding brewing tradition.
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Frequently asked questions
You can buy Rheingold beer from various distributors, including New York Manhattan Beer Distributors, Connecticut Star Distributors, and New Jersey L.A. Piccirillo (Newark).
Other distributors include Warren Distributing (Flanders), and Kristen Distributing (Elizabeth).
Rheingold beer is currently brewed by the Rheingold Brewing Co.
Rheingold beer was originally brewed by the Rheingold Brewery, also known as the Liebmann Brewery, from 1883 until 1987.
The original Rheingold Brewery was located in Brooklyn, New York.