Old car shows are cool enough, but how all of the ways the Sebewaing Brewing Company marketed and transported their products? From horses to trucks and everything in between! The logos, branding, color, are magical and nostalgic. Sebewaing at one time used horse drawn wagons, railroad cars, and its own trucks displaying the various labels of the beer it sold. Check out the photos below for a nice treat!
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”23″ display=”slideshow”]A Face With a Name
Manford Watt, a name that has was mentioned several times during the “lion” years under Dr. Wurm as President. Who was Manford Watt? An article found in the Detroit Free Press from November 27, 1939 helps shed light on Mr. Watt’s relationship with the Sebewaing Brewing Company. It also describes some additional information that is interesting.
Manford Watt was the lion trainer for the Sebewaing Brewing Company during the earlier Old Style label days. Queenie was transported from Africa by Col. Metcalf, a big game hunter with two of her siblings. During this long journey, the cubs had nothing to eat for three days. Her two siblings died for lack of food shortly after arriving in Sebewaing. Mr. Watt nursed Queenie back to health with milk from a cotton ball and then eventually a bottle.
Queenie spent time on the road with Mr.Watt staying at various hotels and often times slept in the car. She did not like cameras, but loved playing with children. The complete article can be seen here.
This newspaper article contradicts the theory that the first lions came form a traveling circus that visited Sebewaing in June of 1939. There are two articles that can be viewed by clicking the links below:
Dr. Wurm, Civic Leader, Dies In Pigeon Hospital
Born November 1878, Dr. John E. Wurm was President of the Sebewaing Brewing Company 1936 to 1945. Dr. Wurm passed away on June 7, 1945.
He was responsible for saving two lion cubs and later adding five additional lions. This was the start of a new mascot for Old Style & Old Stock Ale when they were transitioned from the goose in flight to the famous jungle lion troupe. Additional information about Dr. Wurm can be seen here.
Dr. Wurm led the brewery for nearly a decade through some difficult years. A few years after his death, the brewery made another mascot transition from the lion to the well known pheasant.