Empires of Industry is a five part mini-series which explores the cornerstones of America's economic might that established the United States as a world leader. Each of the five one hour programs in this remarkable series focuses on an industry which played a unique role in America's rise to world economic dominance. The stories of changing fortunes in the Steel, Coal, Brewing, Ship Building and Textile industries reveal much about our country's past and present. Empires of Industry would be useful for classes on American History, History of Science and Technology, Economics and American Culture. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Brewed in America
Brewed In America is the story of the beer brewing industry in the United States. The history of the brewing industry parallels the larger history of America. It is the story of immigration, American opportunity, consumerism and American social tensions. Brewed In America recounts the rise of the beer barons and the historic place of beer in American history and culture.

Vocabulary

• revered
• palatable
• fervor
• formidable
• grandiose
• proprietor
• pasteurization
• marketing
• premonition
• renaissance
• utilitarian
• deluge
• germinate
• ominous
• phenomena
• temperance
• tumultuous
• eradicated
• benighted
• mandate

Discussion Questions

1. Beer brewing is almost as old as recorded history. It is an ancient art. Why is it considered an art? What is the creativity of the brewing process?
2. Immigration in the 19th century transformed not only America, but the brewing industry as well. What was the influence of immigration on the brewing industry? How did immigration transform it?
3. Why have Americans had a taste for beer throughout American history?
4. Most beer was sold in saloons or taverns in the 19th century. But taverns were more than places to drink beer. What was the role of taverns and saloons in 19th century working class life?
5. What limitations did the young growing industry face in the 19th century that prevented large scale distribution?
6. Brewing is sometimes referred to as a "cottage industry." What is meant by this term and why can it be applied to brewing?
7. Louis Pasteur's process of killing bacteria, known as pasteurization, revolutionized the brewing industry. Why did Pasteur's discovery have such a large influence on the industry? What other industries did Pasteur's process revolutionize?
8. How did the invention of the bottle cap contribute to the expansion of beer distribution?
9. Prohibition dealt the brewing industry a mighty blow, forcing hundreds of smaller brewers to close. How did some of the larger brewers stay afloat during Prohibition?
10. What were the social and class implications of Prohibition?
11. What was the role of television advertising in the expansion of the brewing industry? How did television advertising help determine which brewers would dominate the beer market?

Extended Activities

1. Create a poster illustrating the brewing process from beginning to end. How can this process be compared to chemistry? Why is a brewer, in some ways, similar to a chemist?
2. Create a poster or broadside advertising the Temperance Movement. How would you try to convince people not to drink and to prohibit the sale and distribution of alcohol?

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