What was Detroit known for besides cars?, photo by Derek Farr ( DetroitDerek ).

Derek asks (and answers):

What was Detroit known for besides cars?

Goebel, Strohs, Pfeiffer, Altes, Tivoli, and a whole host of other breweries used to be here.

Among those companies, Stroh’s was certainly the leader and the Stroh’s History page says:

A name as important to the success of Detroit as Ford or Chrysler, the Stroh family began with humble roots, brewing beer in a family-owned inn during the 18th century in Kirn, Germany. In 1848, during the German Revolution, Bernhard Stroh, having apprenticed at his father side, immigrated to the United States. He established his own brewery in Detroit in 1850. Stroh named his new company Lion’s Head Brewery, adopting the Lion’s Crest logo from the Kyrburg Castle in Germany – the same crest that adorns Stroh beers today

After establishing the brewery, Bernhard’s son, Bernhard Jr., continued its expansion. A firm proponent of tradition and quality, he introduced the European method of fire-brewing to America. The fire-brewing process uses a direct flame rather than steam to heat beer-filled copper kettles. The resulting higher temperatures intensify the aroma and body of beer, resulting in a more flavorful brew.

The Stroh’s Beer site neglects to mention the final chapter of the Stroh Brewery Company that is detailed on Wikipedia. In 1999 the company sold off its brands. The Pabst Brewing Company acquired the most Stroh/Heilman brands. They currently produce Colt 45 malt liquor, Lone Star, Schaefer, Schlitz, Schmidt’s, Old Milwaukee, Old Style, Stroh’s, and St. Ides while Miller Brewing got Mickey’s Malt Liquor and Henry Weinhard’s. On Wikipedia you can also get a photo of the original Stroh Brewery.

Over the next week (October 16-24, 2009) the city of Detroit will host the first-ever Detroit Beer Week. From Absolute Michigan:

The week-long series of beer-centric events will be held at participating venues in Detroit, with satellite events at Metro-Detroit brewpubs. These events will consist of brewery tours, tasting flights, meet-the-brewer sessions, food pairings, and a wide array of other unique activities. Events will be hosted by Detroit Beer Week staff and the Detroit Beer Barons, a group of Metro-area brewery personalities…

The grand finale of Beer Week is the Inaugural Harvest Festival, hosted by the Michigan Brewers’ Guild and Metrotimes on Saturday, October 24, in Eastern Market.

This photo is part of Derek’s Detroit set (slideshow).