Delivery Trucks and Company Car

Mark W. Rummel posted this photo on February 26, 2014 in the Facebook Group “You know you are from Sebewaing, MI when …”. He said:

“One more Sebewaing (Beer) memory for today — here were the delivery trucks and company car used by the Sebewaing Brewing Company in 1953, from a photo in the company’s Annual Report.

I remember these trucks, which were all painted by Sebewaing’s commercial artist Sam Lupp. We lived across the highway from Sam and Marie (with kids Marsh, Chris, Jackie and Greg) and I remember seeing Sebewaing Beer trucks parked at the Lupp Sign business as Sam did his work. Plus, Hilbert Bergman was the long-time distance driver for the brewery. Local folks would also use (rent) the beer trucks if they were moving household goods. Hilb had “Bergman Moving Co.” to do that work.

As I recall from about 1960, every Thursday a truckload of Sebewaing Beer would leave the brewery, heading for the A & P Warehouse in Detroit, where A & P trucks would deliver our beer to their stores throughout Michigan. It was A & P’s “cheap” beer, probably costing around $1 for a six-pack of those beautiful long-neck bottles. Stores had two or three main brands plus maybe one cheaper beer, not the hundreds of choices like today.

These smaller trucks here would deliver to local restaurants, bars and grocery stores, and to the non-A & P dealers. About 25 local men were employed in this memorable local business until it closed about 1965-66.

Any other brewery memories, folks?”

Here are the comments from the post:

Chuck Kunisch Mark

it is great seeing all these pictures and knowing how it is related to people that are on this site and to our past. I look forward to your posts. Aways very interesting.

Keep up the great work

Curtis Haag My grampa Sam Rupert like his sebewaing beer always keep it in the milk cooler refreg with the milk cans.and of course some fell into our hands on a hot summer day

Scott M. Thede I started a new page on the website just last week that lists brewery employees from 1933 to 1966 (for now). It is work in progress but maybe a relative or friend would like to see a name they might know. There is a comment section at the bottom of the page if anyone has a missing name, dates of employment, and positions held. The page URL is https://sebewaingbrewingcompany.com/employees/

Mark W Rummel @Chuck, thanks. Everybody who posts stuff here (or comments) helps us recall the good things from our little town’s past. @Curt, sounds like you kids, stealing grandpa’s beer!!! (We always got a sip too, but that’s another story.) @Scott, GREAT idea to list Brewery employees. Everybody should check out Scott’s work on his fascinating website. Keep it going, folks!!!

Mary Beers My Dad always purchased Sebewaing beer when we were kids so when I met Warren and found out he was from Sebewaing and his last name was Beers, I was sure he was not being entirely truthful then when he told me his Dad’s name was Ford and he was a Ford Dealer, I was sure of it!

Mark W Rummel @Mary, that’s funny (and true.) I dated a girl from Birmingham (MI) in college and she took me home to meet her mother. The mother said, “Sebewaing?” She’s the result of a six-pack of Sebewaing Beer,” she said, pointing at my girlfriend, who was embarassed. I was, too, but it’s funny now!

Patricia Holland Don was weaned on it……Sebewaing beer! Tasted salty to me but then I’m not a beer “coni-sewer” !

Mark W Rummel Patty, some of my friends were “common-sewers” of our Pheasant Beer!

Mark W Rummel Dale Pobanz just contacted me, and he’d like to comment here but has some technical reason he can’t (we’re trying to work that out.) Anyway, Dale just texted me, saying “I remember as a kid going in the brewer with my dad and sitting at the picnic table while he had a beer . and he took me trick and treat at the old hotel I got alot of nickels”

Patricia Holland I believe that Mark!

Robin Gaeth Mark here is your challenge ..how many employees are still alive that worked at the brewery?

Mark W Rummel Wow, Rob, good question. Let’s start counting them (you probably have the best knowledge on that.) What number do you guess?

Robin Gaeth Two….I know one for sure…my dad.

Alice Pommerenke Broke my collarbone on the sledding hill they kept up for us in the winter – behind the main bldg.

Mark W Rummel Wow, Alice. THAT is a steep hill! Pretty brave, young lady…

Paul Geiger WE did the hill sliding plus Carl Rummel had a 10or12 hp AMF snowmobile WE took turns towing a saucer around. The only danger was the well cover that supplied the breweries “sparkelling deep” well water.

Scott M. Thede Paul, where was the well cover you are referencing?

Paul Geiger Northeast corner of the property not to far from the drain pipe that went into the river.

Ronald Bolzman My Uncle Ken Bolzman is still alive, he worked 1955-1961 Driver- Salesman

Debra Eden I remember having a ride in that coupe with my dad when I was little kid.

Scott M. Thede Was it across the alley from the Storage House (where the labels and bottle caps were stored and where they lifted off the roof to install and remove tanks) and sort of on the downward side of the hill into the gully? And then if you kept going across the gully, there was an open field next to the river where the drain was located? I am trying to figure out where well house #1 was located. I know where #2 and #3 were, but not #1.

Scott M. Thede Thank you Ron, I have your uncle added.

Scott M. Thede Robin, my dad, William Thede is still around. He lives in Harbor Beach.

Robin Gaeth Hey that makes three with Mr Bolzman and yes your dad I new lived in hb..I think there’s another person but I cannot think of his name. It’s interesting to hear the old stories of the brewery.