The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-12-20
Which is Materially Assisting Max
ing Greater Charleston.
PEN PICTURE OF OUR BREWERY
Is One Of the Cities Growing and
Most Progressive and Up
to-Date Institutions.

.Company's office and after meeting
the manager w. f. Sharbaugh and
their salesman Harry Paine as well
as the office force became somewhat
impressed with the brewery, as it
presented to him one Of the largest
home industries in the city of
Charleston. After spending some
time in the company of the manage
ment was taken to the office of the
brcwmastcr Mr.. c. Gracbncr,
where | met one of the most up to
date and thoroughly experienced
men in his profession, Mr.. Graebner
has been Il brewer for the past TWEEN
ty-iive years, having brcwed in the
largest brcwcrics in Germany as well
as in America In addition to Mr..
Graebncr's ability as a brewmastcr
he is a man of good address and en-
tertaining powers. The reporter
having asked about certain matters
regarding the making of the beer
was asked to make Il trip through
the plant, which he did.
Mr.. Graebner leading the way, the
ARGUS man was taken to the fifth
floor on the elevator where he was
shown the Mill Room, here inspect
cd the machinery used in the grind
ing Of the malt, cleaning same for
the brew. The machinery in itself
is a sight to one whom is interested
in mechanical ideas. Following this
we next came to the room used in
stcaming the hops for their part of
the brew, this presented another
sight as the massive steel tank is
the work of mechanical skill; follow
ing this we next came to the room
containing the hot water tanks, four
in number, each containing $50 bar
rels of pure condensed water for
making the brew; next 1 found my
self gazing upon a massive steel
tank, and upon asking, was inform
ed it was the tank for storing the
malt previous to its going to the
Mill room. This is sanitary piece
Eof work, being absolutely free from
any infection, as well as protection
against water or fire; on going fur
Their [ came to the mash tanks, there
/ was surprised to see the malt |
first saw being ground and the hops
that were steaming to be present in
these gigantic tanks, being stirred
about by wonderful machinery and
cooker by steam. at this point |
became more ard moro interested in
my trip and followed the process of
the mash from here to the kettle.
The Kettle has a capacity ofone hun
dred and Fifty barrels, being made of
solid copper and presents one of the
most pleasing things for the eve. Ii
is peculiar in its shape. bright as a
gold dollar and as clean as can be
made. 1t is suspended on beams Of
great strength between the second
and third floor. Next we were in
the cooling room where the beer ar
rivcs after it has passed through the
wonderful copper Kettle. In this
room the beer is allowed to drip
down over a great cooler. starting
at the top in boiling hot degree and
| reaching the bottom showing tenn
perature of 81 degrees, this is a
sight worth seeing. In addition to
the cooling process the room pre-
sents an appearance of taste and
clcanness. Next | came in contact
with the fermenting rooms. These
rooms contain large casks holding
one hundred and fifty barrels each
IN which the beer. after it passes
over the cooler is placed. and allow
ed to fermcnt. Here | wish to make
comment on the process. Mr..
Graebner, the party whom is guiding
me through this gigantic home in
| dustry. tells me the process used in
the Charleston Brewery is the same
as Is used i'll the old country. He fur
Their stated that he would not use
the Carbonating system. for if he
did he would be doing so against the
wishes OF Mr.. Sharbaugh. the Man
aSer,, who Is a thoroughly expert
enced man. Again. taking up my
trip and starting in where | left. in
the fcrlnenting room. the beer is al
lowed TO fcrmcnt here for a certain
time and then is pumped to the floor
Mellow where 1t is allowed to age
Here | was surprised to see the GREAT
numbers of large casks filled with
beer that has been treated the Same
as they do in the Old Country. theso
cellars presented winter like scona
as the Refrigeration was perfoct II,