Water Street Brewery Beer Memorabilia

The Water Street Brewery Beer Memorabilia collection consists of one-of-a-kind beer and brewing artifacts, many of which are featured in “The World of Beer Memorabilia” book. This extensive collection is on display at Water Street Brewery in downtown Milwaukee and Water Street Brewery Lake Country in Delafield. Included are:

• 50,000 cans- 6,000 arranged and featured in 25 impressive wood framed displays
• 1,400 beer tap knobs and handles
• 2,300 coasters
• 825 bottle and can openers
• 10 original Wisconsin Brewery lithographs
• 200 server trays
• 25 exterior corner signs
• 450 large and miniature bottles
• 50 neon signs
• and many chalk figures, pictures, signs and wooden crates.

TAP HANDLES & KNOBS

Tap handles became a necessity with the passing of a 1920’s law requiring all tap beers be marked with the name of the beer served. Early tap knobs were all round in shape and were called ball knobs. Usually made of metal and plastic, they found additional use as shift knobs in cars. The inserts in these older knobs on display were made from enamel, which allowed for colorful logos of the brand being served. Most new tap handles are made of a heavy plastic including those at Water Street Brewery.

The Water Street Brewery memorabilia collection includes over 1,400 vintage tap handles and knobs. Currently Water Street Brewery is showcasing two displays each containing 550 arranged tap handles and knobs at each of our locations.

BREWERY SIGNS

Water Street Brewery Milwaukee

Gold Label Beer (1891-1920, 1933-1956)
Walter Brothers Brewing Company, Menasha, WI

Designed to fit on the corner of a building, most of these signs were made from enamel, tin, milk glass or vitriol. The Gold Label Beer sign is part of the Water Street Brewery Memorabilia collection.

The Walter Brothers started breweries all through Wisconsin including Appleton, Menasha, Spencer, Eau Claire. Their last and most successful brewery in Eau Claire was closed in Eau Claire in 1967.

Water Street Brewery Lake Country

Hochgreve Beer (1894-1920, 1933-1949)
Hochgreve Brewing Company, Green Bay, WI

Designed to fit on the corner of a building, most of these signs were made from enamel, tin, milk glass or vitriol. This Hochgreve Beer corner signs is part of the Water Street Brewery Memorabilia collection.

Hochgreve and Rahr Company was founded by August Hochgreve and Henry Rahr who worked together until they had a falling out. According to family legend they drew straws to see which would continue with the brewery. August Hochgreve won and renamed the company Hochgreve Brewing Company.