Rhinelander Beer

Rhinelander Beer has a history that is pretty much typical for regional American-style beer brands- started by ethnic Germans in the late 1800s, took a body blow during Prohibition, enjoyed a post-World War II heyday, then slowly deteriorated during the inevitable consolidation era of the late 20th Century, only to be resurrected by an outside interest, who swooped up the brand for a cheap price, hoping to capitalize on the "retro" or "hipster" fads of the last decade. But, most of the regional brands, aside from Yuengling and, possibly Lone Star, have not really become popular and continue to occupy shelf space in the dark corners of neighborhood beer outlets.

Otto Hilgermann and Henry Danner founded Rhinelander Brewery in 1882 in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. It was rebuilt following an 1897 fire. Operations ceased during the 1919-1933 Prohibition era, and after restarting in 1933, and brewing as an independent company for over thirty years, Rhinelander was bought out by Joseph Huber Brewing Company, and all brands were moved to that company's brewery in Monroe, Wisconsin. No commercial brewing has existed in the town of Rhinelander since then. During their post-World War II heyday the Rhinelander Brewery was producing about 40,000 barrels per year, and the 7-ounce "Shorty" bottle was their most popular offering. Of course, buying out smaller, struggling breweries was no help, and Joseph Huber Brewing was in trouble by the 1970s, and after being passed around to different owners, the entire operation was purchased by Canadians, Ravinder Minhas and family, who immediately changed the name of the company to Minhas Craft Brewery. They also operate a brewery in Calgary, Canada.

Jyoti Auluck purchased the ownership rights to the Rhinelander line from Minhas in 2009, but Minhas continues to contract-brew the beers for Rhinelander. Auluck has indicated a desire to resume brewing operations in Rhinelander at some future point. In 2011 the Shorty 7 oz. bottle was returned to the Rhinelander line.

This author has never tried any Rhinlander product, but he does own a Rhinelander can from the late 1970s.