The Miller Beer Barons: The Frederick Miller Family and Its Brewery

by Tim John

Fredrick J. Miller came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from Germany 150 years ago and started a small brewery that would evolve into one of the world’s largest. In The Miller Beer Barons, author Tim John tells the complete story of the family that built a beer empire from the entrepreneurial days of brewers like Miller, Pabst and Best, through the struggles of Prohibition to the corporate modern era. A member of the Miller family, John introduces readers to quirky and controversial family members like Emil Miller, who smashed beer bottles of competitors with his cane when he discovered them at taverns, or John’s own father, Harry, who served a brief, but stormy, tenure as company president. Tim John spent several years researching the book, which is likely the most complete history of Miller Brewing ever done. "The Miller Beer Barons" arrives just in time to commemorate Miller’s 150th anniversry in 2005.

456 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2005

Reviews

[Mitch Romig · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're interested in the Miller family, this book is for you. If you're interested in Miller Brewing Company, not so much.

[Tamara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was unable to finish this book. Unlike Bitter Brew, which read like a good story, this is full of facts and figures and how much each Miller child spent on purchasing their house, giving to their own children. There was very little about the brewery business.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting story about the history about the family behind Miller Brewing.