This pictorial souvenir booklet was printed in 1912 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Kaier Brewing Company.
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FULL HALF CENTURY has passed since the late Charles D. Kaier founded in Mahanoy City, the brewery which bears his name. As a tribute to his memory and a mark of appreciation on this 50th Anniversary occasion this booklet has been prepared by the Charles D. Kaier Company. No man ever entered business with a stronger determination to succeed than did Charles D. Kaier when he opened this brewery. He had great faith in the future of Mahanoy City and its possibilities and the success which he achieved amply demonstrated that his judgement was both keen and accurate.He was a man of strict habits and beliefs and imbued with a strong public spirit. As a member of many fraternal organizations he became one of the best known men in this section of the State and never lost an opportunity to help Mahanoy City grow or to encourage an industry worthy of his attention.
Mr. Kaier was born March 6, 1839, at Biningan Baden, Germany. On January 8, 1863, he married Miss Margaret Curry, a native of Schuylkill County, at St. Patrick's Church in Pottsville, Pa.
Not only was he a factor in the brewery business, but he also exercised an active interest in the Anthracite Light, Heat and Power Company, the Broad Mountain Water Company, as well as several other enterprises. He gave to Mahanoy City one of the safest, prettiest, and best-equipped opera houses in the interior of Pennsylvania.
He was one of the promoters of the Union National Bank and served as vice-president from its organization until the time of his death, having declined the presidency on account of his health. He was one of the first defenders of the war of the Rebellion, and when the Spanish-American War broke out, he notified his employees that he would grant them full pay as long as they were in the country's service at the field of action.
Having the welfare of his employees at heart, Mr. Kaier founded the Kaier Beneficial Association and did everything in his power to make it the strong institution which it is today. He is one of the largest real estate holders in Mahanoy City.
Nowhere in Pennsylvania is there a more complete or up-to-date brewery than the Kaier. Its equipment is the very best that money will buy, expense never standing between Mr. Kaier and and the possession of a possible improvement. The capacity of this brewery is now over 100,000 barrels per annum. Connected with the brewery is one of the finest bottling departments in Eastern Pennsylvania. Its completeness is unsurpassed anywhere.
None but the purest spring water is used in the manufacture of all Kaier products and this supremely good water has had much to do with the fame of Kaier beer. This water is furnished by the Broad Mountain Water Company, which also furnishes practically all the ice to Mahanoy City.
One can get some idea of the completeness of the Kaier plant when it is realized that this concern makes all its own wagons and harnesses, has its own cooperge shop, its own blacksmith shop, carpenter shop, tinsmith shop, plumbing shop, and the largest individual ice plant in the vicinity and many other features too numerous to mention here. Direct shipments to all railroads are made on the Kaier Company's own tracks.
Since Mr. Kaier's death, which occurred on May 31, 1899, at his Philadelphia residence, his various business enterprises have been perfected along the lines laid down by him during his lifetime, by his wife, who was made president of the Kaier Company, and his son, Charles F. Kaier, who is secretary and treasurer of the Kaier Company.
A branch of the Kaier Brewery is located at Reading and it is operated on the same high standards as prevail at the Mahanoy City plant. The company are also the largest rectifiers and wholesale liquor dealers in eastern Pennsylvania.
There can be no question as to the popularity of the Kaier Company's products, as the constantly increasing business proves most convincingly that the public appreciates their merits. If one can judge by the enlargements which have been made in the Kaier plants during the past few years, it will not be very long before the concern will have one of the largest breweries in the State- a great credit to Mahanoy City and to the energies of the late Charles D. Kaier and his heirs.
