Businessman. Beer Magnate who started the Coors Brewing Company. He was born to Joseph and Helena Kuhrs in Barmen in the Rheinland area of Prussia. As was normal for the times, he began an apprenticeship as a teenager in nearby Ruhrort until his family moved to Dortmund, Westphalia, in 1862 and then began a new apprenticeship with a Dortmund brewery. That same year both of his parents died. He completed the apprenticeship then worked as an employee at the Wenker Brewery until 1867. Then began his "wander year," typical of German journeymen in those times to broaden their experience, and worked at breweries in Kassel, Berlin, and Uelzen. In early 1868, he left Germany and arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, reportedly as a stow-away, and by mid-year had reached the Chicago, Illinois, area where, after Americanizing his name to Coors, worked at several odd jobs. By summer of 1869 he had become foreman of the Stenger Brewery in Naperville, Illinois where he remained for almost three years. Then continued west to Denver, Colorado, arriving in spring of 1872. Shortly thereafter he purchased a partnership in a bottling company and by year's end was able to buy out the founder, John Staderman. In autumn of 1873, he and a Denver confectioner and fellow German immigrant, Jacob Schueler, purchased an abandoned Tannery in Golden, Colorado, and converted it into a brewery. Schueler provided $18,000 for the venture and Coors, just 26 years old, contributed his $2,000 savings, his expertise and enthusiasm. By spring of the following year their Golden Brewery was producing beer. In 1880 he purchased Schueler's interest and became sole owner with annual beer production of 3,500 barrels annually. Ten years later production reached 17,600 barrels. With prohibition in Colorado in 1916, he and his sons began making malted milk and other products for 18 years to keep the company operating and profitable until prohibition's repeal in 1933.
Businessman. Beer Magnate who started the Coors Brewing Company. He was born to Joseph and Helena Kuhrs in Barmen in the Rheinland area of Prussia. As was normal for the times, he began an apprenticeship as a teenager in nearby Ruhrort until his family moved to Dortmund, Westphalia, in 1862 and then began a new apprenticeship with a Dortmund brewery. That same year both of his parents died. He completed the apprenticeship then worked as an employee at the Wenker Brewery until 1867. Then began his "wander year," typical of German journeymen in those times to broaden their experience, and worked at breweries in Kassel, Berlin, and Uelzen. In early 1868, he left Germany and arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, reportedly as a stow-away, and by mid-year had reached the Chicago, Illinois, area where, after Americanizing his name to Coors, worked at several odd jobs. By summer of 1869 he had become foreman of the Stenger Brewery in Naperville, Illinois where he remained for almost three years. Then continued west to Denver, Colorado, arriving in spring of 1872. Shortly thereafter he purchased a partnership in a bottling company and by year's end was able to buy out the founder, John Staderman. In autumn of 1873, he and a Denver confectioner and fellow German immigrant, Jacob Schueler, purchased an abandoned Tannery in Golden, Colorado, and converted it into a brewery. Schueler provided $18,000 for the venture and Coors, just 26 years old, contributed his $2,000 savings, his expertise and enthusiasm. By spring of the following year their Golden Brewery was producing beer. In 1880 he purchased Schueler's interest and became sole owner with annual beer production of 3,500 barrels annually. Ten years later production reached 17,600 barrels. With prohibition in Colorado in 1916, he and his sons began making malted milk and other products for 18 years to keep the company operating and profitable until prohibition's repeal in 1933.
Bio by: Fred Beisser
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