Muessel-Drewry Brewery
Muessel-Drewry Brewery is a historic brewery in South Bend, Indiana now protected as a National Register of Historic Places site. The complex features brick buildings constructed across different periods from roughly 1865 to 1949, along with grain silos and a distinctive tall smokestack that rises prominently above the grounds.
The brewery was founded in the 1860s by Christopher Muessel, a German immigrant, producing brands like Standard and Bavarian. After Muessel's death in 1894, his sons took over and expanded the facility with new structures and improved equipment.
The site reflects German immigration heritage, as Christopher Muessel brought brewing traditions from his homeland to South Bend. The Muessel family shaped the neighborhood by building homes, a park, and a school that still exist today, creating a lasting mark on the community.
The site is located near downtown South Bend and is accessible on foot. Most of the original buildings are no longer standing, but the remaining structures and the distinctive smokestack can be viewed from outside, with additional information available at the local history museum.
The Muessel family sponsored a football team called the Muessel Brewers in 1920, coached by Knute Rockne, who later became a legendary coach at the University of Notre Dame. This sports connection reveals how deeply embedded the family was in the South Bend community.
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