Highlights Archives
Preserving Wisconsin's Brewing History
The Wisconsin Historical Society recently had the good fortune to acquire two enormous beer tanks manufactured and used in Wisconsin when the Stevens Point Brewery of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, generously donated a 3,700-gallon aging tank and a 3,100-gallon "bright beer" tank. Both tanks were manufactured by the Dunck Tank Works of Milwaukee around 1910 and were used by the brewery from about 1915 until 1995. Art Oksuita, director of operations at the Stevens Point Brewery, was instrumental in the preservation of these tanks and provided much historical research assistance and storage advice.
 Tony Karner prepares to unload the 3,700-gallon aging tank These tanks are some of the last of their kind, still intact and unaltered. Some have been harvested for salvage lumber while others have been modified for decoration in bars and restaurants around the country. Together, the tanks represent the strong tradition of brewing beer in Wisconsin and, because of their size, have the capability to visually tell the story in a far more compelling manner than words or images.
As depicted in the above image, the vertical tank (on the left) is the aging tank used to age fermented beer for 30 days. The horizontal "bright beer" tank (on the right) stored the filtered beer before it was packaged.
Acquiring the tanks is one thing, safely storing them is another. Finding a facility to store objects that each require 785 cubic feet was a challenge, but Society staff worked together to identify an adequate location. The problem was solved when Wade House historic site in Greenbush offered space in one of its buildings.
Safely transporting the tanks from Stevens Point to Wade House became the next hurdle. Fortunately, this wouldn't be the first time the tanks had to be moved. In the past the brewery worked with Tony's Landscaping and Excavating of Rosholt, Wisconsin, and the company owner, Tony Karner, has much experience with the complicated loading, rigging and hauling of the heavy (yet potentially fragile) tanks.
The Society contracted with Karner and on May 31, 2007, the tanks made the 100-mile journey to Wade House on a flat bed truck. Museum and Wade House staff prepared space in the building and assisted in the delivery. Using his large front-end loader, Karner carefully moved each tank through a garage door (with only inches to spare) and set them into place.
Museum staff will undertake preservation efforts needed for proper short term care while the tanks are at the Wade House building. The tanks may come to Madison when adequate storage facilities can be obtained. In the future the Society hopes to display the tanks, refurbished to their working splendor, in order to tell the story of the rich tradition of brewing beer in Stevens Point and all around Wisconsin. This goal would not be possible without the generosity of the Stevens Point Brewery.
:: Posted June 28, 2007
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