In the year 1883, the first carriage rolled across the newly completed span of the Brooklyn Bridge. A few blocks westward, a huge copper torch was being readied for its rise to the top of the Statue of Liberty. A few blocks eastward, an iconic American brand was born that year: Rheingold.
It was an exciting time in that small part of the world that had also been the birthplace of America’s first beer, 260 years earlier. More about that later.
Why revive the Rheingold brand, again, after a ten-year hiatus from 2013 – 2023? We believe the Rheingold formula—”the dry beer”—was unique and exceptional. And the word “Rheingold” has a great sound. With the proliferation of wonderful beers in America, why wouldn’t a brand that has one of the richest American histories of all be worthy? With a good product and a strong brand in support, we hope that a classic that was loved by so many can once again be popular with a segment of local beer-lovers.
We’re using the original Rheingold formula as nearly as possible. Sorry, no “Miss Rheingold.” We’re focused on delivering excellence and reestablishing roots. We do, however, plan to experiment with new varieties and brand personalities more broadly in 2024. Stay tuned.
Rheingold Brewing is proud to carry forward a remarkable American tradition.
The “Extra Dry” Beer
Dry beer is naturally crisp and not sweet because of an extended, double fermentation that breaks down almost all residual sugars and eliminates off-flavors that linger from the first stage of fermentation. Rheingold and other companies referred to this process as “Krausening.”
The initial Rheingold beer was a lager in the great German tradition, using ingredients of the highest quality. Today Rheingold is sourcing hops of the same varieties and from the same locations as Liebmann Brewery was in the late 1800s.