Rainier Brewing Company: A Century of Beer

Rainier Brewing Company has been a beloved institution in the Pacific Northwest for over a century. Founded in 1878 by Gottlieb Breuer, the company has a rich history that spans generations.

The company's early success was largely due to its innovative approach to brewing. By using a unique combination of German and American brewing techniques, Rainier was able to create a distinctive flavor profile that set it apart from other beers of the time.

Rainier's commitment to quality and community has remained a cornerstone of the company's mission. From its early days as a small, family-owned business to its current status as a major regional brewery, Rainier has always prioritized its relationships with customers and the environment.

The origins of Rainier Brewing date back to 1854 when A.B. Rabbeson opened Washington Brewery, Seattle's first commercial brewing company.

In 1872, Rabbeson renamed his brewery Seattle Brewery, and it wasn't long before they launched Rainier beer in 1878.

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Andrew Hemrich and John Kopp founded the Bay View Brewing Company in 1883, but Kopp's interest was soon bought out by Hemrich's father John.

Rabbeson sold his brewery, along with the Rainier brand, to Hemrich in 1888, marking a significant shift in the company's ownership.

The Seattle Brewing & Malting Company was formed in 1893 through the merger of three breweries, with Andrew Hemrich becoming its president.

The Georgetown brewery became the headquarters of the new corporation and underwent major construction in the early 1900s, making it one of the largest in the world.

Andrew Hemrich remained president until his death in 1910, when he was succeeded by his brother Louis Hemrich.

In 1977, the Rainier brewery was sold to G. Heileman Brewing Company, and it changed hands several times before being closed by Pabst in 1999.

The Rainier brand was sold to General Brewing Company, which moved production to the Olympia brewery in nearby Tumwater, Washington, but ultimately closed in 2003.

Rainier Beer is now brewed by Pabst in Irwindale, California, marking a new chapter in the company's history.

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After Prohibition ended, the Bay View brewery was purchased by Fritz and Emil Sick, who repurchased the Rainier brand and began brewing Rainier in 1935.

The brewery went through several names during the 1935-1977 period, including Sicks' Seattle Brewing and Malting and Sicks' Rainier Brewing Company.

Sicks' Rainier Brewing also brewed other brands of beer, including Rheinlander and Sick's Select.

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After Prohibition was repealed, the Bay View brewery was purchased by Fritz and Emil Sick, who repurchased the Rainier brand and began brewing Rainier in 1935.

The brewery went through several names, including Sicks' Seattle Brewing and Malting and Sicks' Rainier Brewing Company, during the 1935-1977 period.

Rainier Brewing Company resumed producing "Rainier Beer" after the end of Prohibition and its advertisements became ubiquitous in the Seattle-Tacoma area.

A rumor circulated that Emil Sick bribed a Washington state committee with free beer to name the local mountain "Rainier", but this is an urban legend.

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Sick did purchase the local baseball team and named them the Seattle Rainiers for this purpose.

Sicks brewed Rainier at a branch brewery in Spokane, which closed in 1962.

Other brands of beer brewed by Sick's Rainier Brewing during this time included Rheinlander and Sick's Select.

The Rainier brewery later took over brewing Heidelberg beer after its brewery in Tacoma, Washington, closed.

Each of these brands, as well as rival Northwest brands Lucky Lager, Olympia, and Blitz-Weinhard, were once staples in the Pacific Northwest beer market, but started losing market share to major national brands in the 1960s and 1970s.

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In the 1900s, several major companies underwent significant ownership changes.

The Ford Motor Company was taken over by Henry Ford's son, Edsel Ford, in 1919.

Edsel's leadership helped the company expand its operations and introduce new models.

The General Motors Corporation was also restructured in the 1900s, with William C. Durant returning as president in 1920.

Durant's leadership helped the company recover from financial difficulties and expand its product line.

The DuPont company, meanwhile, was taken over by Pierre S. du Pont in 1902, who led the company's expansion into new markets.

The changes in ownership helped shape the direction of these companies and set the stage for their future growth.

Rainier Brewing Company has a strong marketing presence, particularly in the Pacific Northwest region. They've successfully leveraged their iconic "Rainier Beer" logo, which has been a part of the region's identity for over 100 years.

Their marketing efforts also focus on community involvement, with a commitment to local partnerships and sponsorships. This approach has helped build a loyal customer base.

By emphasizing their commitment to quality and local roots, Rainier Brewing Company has established a recognizable brand that resonates with the community.

The 1970s and 1980s were a pivotal time for advertising, with the rise of television and radio making it a crucial part of marketing strategies.

The average American watched 4 hours and 42 minutes of TV per day, making it a prime platform for advertisers to reach their audience.

Television commercials were often 30 seconds long and cost around $5,000 to produce, a significant investment for small businesses.

The De Beers company famously used the slogan "A Diamond is Forever" to associate diamonds with engagement and marriage, a campaign that was highly successful.

The use of catchy jingles and memorable slogans became a key element of advertising in this era, with companies like McDonald's and Coca-Cola using them to great effect.

The iconic De Beers campaign was created by the advertising agency N.W. Ayer, which was known for its innovative and effective ad campaigns.

Radio ads were also popular during this time, with many companies using them to reach a wider audience.

The average cost of a radio ad was around $100 per hour, a fraction of the cost of a TV commercial.

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Rainier has received numerous awards and recognition for its quality beers. The Great American Beer Festival (GABF) has been a significant platform for Rainier's success, with multiple gold and silver medals awarded over the years.

In 1987, Rainier was awarded a silver medal by the GABF in the Best American Light Lager category. This recognition marked the beginning of Rainier's impressive awards tally.

Rainier was recognized by the GABF again in 1990, 1998, and 2000 with the gold medal for Best American-Style Lager. Consistency is key, and Rainier's repeat wins demonstrate its commitment to quality.

Both Rainier Light and Rainier Ice have received medals from the GABF, further solidifying Rainier's reputation as a top-notch brewer.

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The Rainier "R" logo has become an iconic symbol of the Rainier Brewing Company, dating back to the 1900s. It's amazing to see how a simple logo can evoke such nostalgia and brand loyalty.

The logo has undergone several redesigns, adopting the current "R" logo since the 1950s. This change marked a significant shift in the logo's design, making it more recognizable and memorable.

In 1953, a large red neon "R" logo sign was created and placed atop the brewery, becoming a beacon for beer enthusiasts. I can only imagine how impressive it must have looked at night.

After Tully's leased the brewery in 2000, they replaced the iconic "R" with a green neon Tully's "T" sign, which sparked a lot of debate among locals. The original red "R" sign was eventually sold to the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI).

In 2013, Tully's decided to replace the green "T" with a replica of the red "R" sign, which was a welcome move for fans of the original logo. The new sign features lights on both sides, making it even more eye-catching.

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Rainier Brewing Company has made a significant impact on popular culture and its legacy lives on. In the 1986 film Stand By Me, Ace Merrill and his friends are seen drinking Rainier beer while playing mailbox baseball.

The brand has been featured in several other films, including The Bridges of Madison County, where Robert drinks Rainier Beer at Francesca's kitchen table. This showcases the beer's presence in mainstream media.

Rainier beer has also been associated with the Seattle grunge group Mudhoney, who were humorously photographed in 1988 with cans of the beer. The image can be seen on the inside CD cover of the band's Superfuzz Bigmuff + Early Singles release.

In the 2008 film Twilight, set in Forks, Washington, Rainier beer appears prominently in several scenes, and is referred to as "Vitamin R". Character Charlie Swan is seen drinking the beer in subsequent films in the Twilight series.

A notable incident involving Rainier beer occurred in 2004, when a black bear in Baker Lake, Washington consumed 36 cans of the beer from a cooler. The bear avoided cans of Busch beer and used its claws and teeth to open and then consume the cans of Rainier.

Rainier beer has also been featured in the A&E television series Longmire, where the main character Sheriff Walt Longmire exclusively drinks Rainier beer. In the pilot episode, a colleague accuses Longmire of drunk driving after empty beer cans are found in his car.

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The beer's popularity has been recognized, as it reached No. 1 on the list of top 100 beers by Cold Cans. This achievement highlights the brand's enduring appeal.

Here are some notable appearances of Rainier beer in popular culture: