If you are thinking to yourself, poor Adolphus Busch! Just 18 years old and in a new country! But, don’t feel too badly – our honorary Dallasite’s family had enough money and his brothers were well established enough in the St. Louis area that Adolphus didn’t have to get a job right away. He took his time and ultimately got a job working as a shipping clerk on the Mississippi river. He was especially good at assessing the value of brewing materials. (foreshadowing!)
Also living in St. Louis was Eberhard Anheuser who was creating a business for himself in soaps and cleaning products. However, he also invested in a failing brewery. Getting many of his materials from Adolphus lead to the two becoming friends. Such good friends that Adolphus AND one of his brothers married Anheuser daughters in a double wedding ceremony. Anheuser-Busch was thus born. The Civil War would officially break out the following month in April of 1861.
Our honorary Dallasite shipped beer in these (now) vintage beer cases pictured here – chess boards were printed on the reverse of the lid and the game was played with supplied red vs. blue beer caps.
