Kaier's Beer Reverse Glass Sign

Object/Artifact

-

American Sign Museum

Name/Title

Kaier's Beer Reverse Glass Sign

Entry/Object ID

2022.0006.0001

Description

This internally-illuminated, reverse painted glass sign with neon border tubing is circa 1930. The manufacturer is unknown.

Context

Kaier’s Beer was brewed by The Charles D. Kaier Company in Mahanoy City, PA beginning in 1880 and closing its doors in 1968. Kaier was a German immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1857. By 1862, he had founded The Chas D. Kaier Co. in Mahanoy City, PA. What was initially a retail liquor business soon expanded into a successful brewery. They remained active during Prohibition, brewing both legal and illegal beer. During this time a legal drink could contain no greater than 0.5% alcohol by weight. By the early 1950’s Kaier’s was one of the largest breweries in Pennsylvania. In 1950, Kaier’s Beer won “The Star of Excellence” in Brussels, Belgium for the best beer in the American/Canadian beer category. The business was sold Philadelphia-based Henry F. Ortlieb Brewing Co. in 1966. The new owners unfortunately closed their doors just two years later in 1968.

Collection

Permanent Collection

Category

Glass — Painted/Gilded, Sign/Displays, Metal — Neon-illuminated, Signs/Displays
Signs/Displays

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1930

Dimensions

Height

29 in

Width

40 in

Depth

8 in

Weight

100 lb

Material

Glass

Location

Category

Storage