Our Mission

The Brewery Museum Foundation is dedicated to the preservation of the history of the brewing industry and the education of the public in the brewing industry’s major accomplishments and worldwide appeal. All aspects of the brewing industry will be represented through a collection of historical documents, artifacts, case histories and all other points of importance connected with the brewing industry. The role of beer in cultures of all eras and geographies will be an integral part of the mission of this foundation.

In order to educate the public and promote the learning of the many avenues of the brewing industry, a museum will be built. The museum will be a celebration of the people, products, breweries, cultures and historic significance of the brewing industry. This will be realized through the exhibits containing artifacts, photos and histories of all the significant products, effects and events of the brewing industry.

Specifically, the brewing process and ingredients required to brew various types of beers will be illustrated. The role the brewing industry has played in our culture from very early times to the present will be explored in a thought provoking timeline. The display of artifacts from all fifty states will pay tribute to brewing in the United States and worldwide artifacts will have a place of their own. In an effort to personalize the experience, a bar of the 40’s and 50’s will depict typical life in nearly every town USA.

Museum Themes

Using exciting dioramas, historical artifacts, creative design, dramatic photographs, and state-of-theart interactive technology, the Brewery Museum Foundation’s museum will exhibit the story of beer through a variety of themes:

History of Beer

The story of beer is as old as civilization itself. Some people believe that beer started civilization. Almost every culture in the world, since the dawn of civilization, has developed some kind of fermented drink. From the Sumerians and Egyptians, to the present.

Ingredients

The ingredients in beer are surprisingly simple: Grain, water, yeast and usually, hops. Though different societies have added other ingredients to affect taste and texture, the basic ingredients remain the same.

Brewing Process

How is beer made? What technological changes have improved the brewing process? Why does pasteurization, fermentation, and refrigeration affect the way beer tastes? These are some of the questions that will be answered in this topic.

Types of Beer

Ales, pilsners, bocks, weiss, stouts, alts, lagers and porters! A quick trip to the supermarket proves that there are many different tastes, textures, colors, and densities. There is more to the term "beer" than meets the eye.

Beers Around the World

Visitors will learn about the varieties of beer and other fermented drinks brewed around the world. A significant portion of the exhibit will demonstrate how beer products are now marketed across the globe, and will teach the economic importance of the brewing industry throughout the world.

History of Containers

From ancient clay pots to today’s plastic beer bottles, the history of beer containers is as old as the brewing art itself. As visitors walk through this gallery, they will be able to see the many ways that people have stored and served beer.

Beer in the United States

One of the primary themes of the museum will trace the historical importance of beer in the United States, from the earliest settlers to today’s world of microbreweries. The "Beer Barons" such as Coors and Busch will also be highlighted, as well as some of the United States’ brewing centers. The exhibit will also look at historical efforts to regulate the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and their political, social, and cultural results.

St. Louis Brewing History

Located in the historic William J. Lemp Brewing Company complex, the Brewery Museum Foundation will honor the important role St. Louis played in America’s brewing history. Not only "the Gateway to the West," St. Louis also became a major locus for German immigration in the mid-nineteenth century. The development of Anheuser-Busch, Inc., the world’s largest brewer, will be included in the story of St. Louis brewing.

Microbreweries

The exhibit will also discuss the rise of small independent microbreweries, brewpubs, and home brewers. Microbreweries produce in a much smaller volume than the commercial breweries, but their appeal is worldwide.