Delta Beer Lager was a product of the Delta Brewing Company, Inc., which operated in Escanaba, Michigan, during a relatively brief period following the repeal of Prohibition.
Establishment and Operation (1933-1940):
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The Delta Brewing Company began operations in 1933, seizing the opportunity presented by the end of national Prohibition. An open house held on Monday, September 25, 1933, marked the launch, drawing large crowds eager to taste the new local beer.
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The brewery was located at 1615 Ludington Street, occupying the building originally constructed for the Richter Brewery (which operated from 1901 until Prohibition began in Michigan in 1918/1919).
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"Delta Beer Lager" was one of the key products, remembered as an iconic lager from that era. Historical records and vintage memorabilia confirm its existence as a specific brand produced by the company.
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Delta Brewing Co. was the second brewery established in Escanaba after Prohibition, following the earlier Richter Brewery and Escanaba Brewing Co. (which also closed due to Prohibition).
Closure:
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Despite the initial enthusiasm, the Delta Brewing Company had a short lifespan. It went bankrupt and ceased operations in 1940, after only seven years in business.
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Following the brewery's closure, the building at 1615 Ludington Street remained vacant for many decades before being purchased in 2008 and renovated into loft apartments and commercial space, now known as the "Lofts on Ludington."
Legacy:
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While the original Delta Brewing Company and its Delta Beer Lager are long gone, the name lives on in Escanaba's brewing history.
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The modern Upper Hand Brewery® (established in Escanaba in 2013) pays tribute to this heritage with its "Delta Series" of beers, offering modern interpretations of classic local brands and styles, acknowledging the legacy of the Delta Brewing Co.
In summary, Delta Beer Lager was a specific beer brand produced by the Delta Brewing Company in Escanaba from 1933 to 1940, operating out of the historic Richter Brewery building.