The long, long road of bringing the Wiedemann brand back to Northern Kentucky has finally reached a major milestone, they have made their way back to Kentucky via distribution from Beer House Distributors starting this month.

I’m a hair behind this news, but it brings a big smile to my face so I wanted to make sure that I got it passed along, even if you’ve read it already.

The Short History Of Wiedemann

It’s hard to wrap the history of a brewery like Wiedemann up into a short little blurb, but I’ll do my best. Of course, if you want more, you can’t do much better than snagging the book ‘George Wiedemann: Northern Kentucky’s Beer Baron’ from Don Heinrich Tolzman which covers it better than I could have ever hoped to, anyways. (You can buy the book here on Amazon using an affiliate link which helps me out a little bit, too!)

But – a short history of how we got to this point:

  • 1870 – Wiedemann opens a brewery with a partner
  • 1878 – George Wiedemann buys out his partner
  • 1888 – The brewery is rebuilt, with all the newest technologies
  • 1890 – George Wiedemann dies, and his sons continue the business
  • Prohibition – The brewery keeps brewing thanks to their partnership with George Remus “king of the bootleggers”
  • 1927 – The brewery is busted by federal agents, but reopens again after prohibition.
  • 1967 – Wiedemann is sold to The G. Heileman Brewing Company
  • 1983 – In an effort to consolidate their brands, the Newport plant is shut down.
  • 1991 – G. Heileman declares bankruptcy, and the Wiedemann brands were sold to an investment group and acquired by Pittsburgh Brewing Company.
  • 2006 – Pittsburgh Brewing Company also declares bankruptcy.
  • 2006 – Jon and Betsey Newberry buy the old Wiedemann brands and begin the process to bring it back to NKY.
  • 2018 – The new brewery opens in St. Bernard

And now, finally… you can buy the beer again, brewed locally on shelves in NKY.

The Wiedemann of Today

Things are a little different at Wiedemann today than they might have been back in 1900. While they still lean heavily on tradition, especially with their ‘Bohemian Special Brew’ – they are a craft brewery and own up to that part of their new personality.

Head Brewer Steve Shaw is kicking out beers that will turn heads of even the most die-hard craft beer nut jobs as well as those who might be looking for something a little more “approachable”. This summer’s “Summertime Lime” is a great example of a beer that goes down nice and easy while still being packed with big flavor – and their ‘Wake Me Up’ Hazelnut Coffee Stout is one of the favorites from their fans, for sure.

The taproom itself oozes history while remaining comfortable. It feels like it’s been there forever – and is a brilliant home for a brewery like Wiedemann. They have a kitchen that cranks out burgers, hot dogs, pizzas and other “comfort bar food” that will definitely make you happy while you sip on your beer.

For any and all information about Wiedemann – make sure you check out their website and hit them up on social media, too!

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