Customer Reviews

Beer: A History of Brewing in Chicago

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found Skilnik's book a fascinating history. It is well written, well researched, and I learned much, but it has it flaws.

For a start, the book has a patch quiltwork quality to it, as though he was stitching together various earlier manuscripts, which in fact he was. As a result there are many needless repetitions and redundencies. For example, in three different places he discusses the Pavichevich Brewing Company, when it could all be consolidated into one narrative.

As someone who was highly aware of Chicago beers since the early 1950s, I found a lot that was missing, especially in regard to some famous local brand names.

His coverage of the years from the end of Prohibition through the 1950s was particularly poor, after he started off marvelously with a great discussion on the end of Prohibition. I had always wondered why beer was being sold in Chicago as early as May 1933, prior to the official end of Prohibition in December 1933, and Skilnik skillfully explains it all.

But after 1933, his history comes unglued. He discusses for example the Manhattan Brewery in the 1930s, without ever mentioning the name of the brand that it sold before it introduced Canadian Ace in the early 1940s. I had to go to the Chicago Tribune to find out that it was Manhattan Beer.

His first mention of the Pilsen Brewery was on page 216, where he mentioned it was acquired by Canadian Ace in 1963. The brewery had been around for decades. He said nothing about when Pilsen introduced its Yusay brand. I found an ad from 1940. He barely mentioned Atlas Praeger. There is nothing on sales of the various brands during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, beyond a discussion of Fox Deluxe and Canadian Ace. Who were the local sales leaders. Where exactly did Monarch, Fox DeLuxe, Canadian Ace, Atlas Praeger, Yusay Pilsen, and other local brands rank against each other? were famous local brands, and I would expect in a history of Chicago beer there would have been some discussion.

I noticed that the index has no entry for Yusay Pilsen, Atlas Praeger, Old Chicago, and other local brands. The public know the breweries through their brands,and the author seems to lack understanding of this basic concept.

Instead, we get several chapters of detailed discussion on the trevails of Schlitz and Old Style, which were indeed interesting, but only tangential to the story of brewing in Chicago.

The author fails to make some commonplace judgements. His discussion of Peter Hand and their failure to sell Old Chicago Beer fails to mention the reason for the beer's failure. I remember when it came out, and a lot of people tried it, and tried it again just to be sure, and concluded that the formula was a lousy tasting beer. It you are going to introduce a new beer, it had better be good. Skilnik never explains why Old Chicago failed.

This book is terrific (tastes great) in some places and maddeningly uneven in others. I would still recommend the book, but with the caveat that the reader will find parts of the book woefully deficient (less filling) in discussion of the Chicago beer industry.

Excellent book that ties all the stories/legends one might have heard while living in Chicagoland. This book should be used on The History Channel, High school, & College business schools as a case study.
Fascinating read! That takes one from the beginnings of an industry and
city through the pursuit of German immigrants ambitions to bring "Lager" beer to other immigrants and society at large. While others pressure government to stop an industry, Prohibion! Which causes a change in the tast of "American Lager Beer" and its distribution & promotion.

Brewing technology expert and former associate editor for the "American Breweriana Journal" Bob Skilnik presents Beer: A History of Brewing in Chicago, a fascinating look at the rise and fall of Chicago's brewing industry across the decades. From the illegal alcohol trafficking during the Prohibition era, to famous beer riots, the interplay of beer and politics, lists of every Chicago brewery since 1833 with addresses and dates of operation, a guided tour of the local breweries that remain, and much more, Beer: A History of Brewing in Chicago covers everything a Chicago beer lover could hope for with extra surprises in store. Written in a down-to-earth, friendly narrative tone, Beer: A History of Brewing in Chicago blends spot-on accurate research with an inviting prose style. Recommended both for casual readers curious about the history of beer in Chicago and scholars in need of research information on the topic.

I found this book very interesting. I'm always interested in Chicago history and beer history. I learned a lot from this book. Plus the copy I received was signed by the author, a very nice touch.

I recently read this book and found it to very informative. This book lists every brewery in Chicago from open to close along with the exact locations. I found the book interesting and purchased the book to learn more about where and what my great great grandfather helped establish for the beer community as a laborer for Chicago breweries.

How do you take two fascinating topics - a history of Chicago, and a history of beer within a growing metropolotis, and make it read like a textbook? Give it to Bob Skilnik to write. He started with great material, and has approached it with a "just the facts, ma'am" style. Which wouldn't be too bad, if it was organized a little better. The chapters are divided up chronologically, but all the subheadings in the chapters seem to skip around, sometimes flowing logically into the next subheading, but more often than not, jumping around. Which makes this not very easy to use for a reference book.

For an excellent book on the sociological, political, and economic impacts of a beverage upon a young New World, you should really check out "And a Bottle of Rum" by Wayne Curtis. He delivers a great deal of facts, but you really feel the author's passion for the subject at hand and you actually crave the drinks that are being discussed. Nothing in Skilnik's book made me want to run over to Goose Island for a pint, which is a shame.

BEER: A History of Brewing in Chicago brings together revised and updated versions of The History of Beer and Brewing in Chicago, 1833-1978 and the follow-up Volume II.

After a short run of both books and a secondary market that had The History of Beer and Brewing in Chicago, 1833-1978 selling for up to $250 on Amazon's used books market, it was time for this longer and more extensive blending of both volumes.

Using Chicago as a backdrop, leading beer historian Bob Skilnik delves into the reasons why once favorite national and regional beer brands have faded in popularity, some banished to obscurity. BEER: A History of Brewing in Chicago, proves to be more than a regional history book as it also details the downfall of national breweries like Schlitz and Pabst, to once powerhouse regionals with their flagship brands such as Seattle's Rainier, Detroit's Stroh, Baltimore's National Bohemian and G. Heileman's Old Style, once anointed as "Chicago's Beer."

If you like beer history, Chicago history, or a look at the good -- and bad -- marketing behind the beers and breweries of yesterday, you won't be disappointed with this newest edition.

Included in the revamping is a newly-updated tour of sites that still retain the character of a Chicago industry long gone and a complete listing of every brewery that ever operated in Chicago, along with dates of operation and locations.