Beer Money: A Tale of the Iowa City Beer Mafia

by S.C. Sherman

A captivating feat of historical fiction set during the 1880s clash between the prohibitionists and the three most powerful brewers in Iowa City—known as “The Beer Mafia.”

German, Czech, and Irish immigrants poured into America in the mid-1800s. They brought their language and traditions with them…and their love of brewing and drinking beer. In 1881, Iowa City was a bustling town full of immigrants. The population was exploding, and that meant two things: Fortunes were being made overnight and trouble was afoot.

Three large breweries had taken root, sprouting strong and proud in the “Northside” neighborhood. In one generation the brewers became wealthy and powerful men. They also came to be known as “The Beer Mafia.” The more powerful the brewers grew, the more passionate the ladies of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union became about abolishing alcohol altogether. They took their fight to the saloon, the street, and the Statehouse, preaching prohibition.

Conrad Graf, J.J. Englert and John Dostal thought of themselves as honest businessmen capitalizing on America’s explosive growth by simply providing a product people wanted. Vernice Armstrong thought they were selling sin and destroying everything that made America great, one beer at a time. She made it her mission in life to bring them down, but they weren’t about to go down without a fight.

Blending real-life historical figures with compelling fictional characters, Beer Money is the story of how the brewers and “Teetotalers” slammed head-on into each other, turning the prairie red with blood. This is a tale of how the seemingly innocuous love of brewing and drinking beer became the flashpoint, sparking events that would shape America for a generation.

240 pages, Paperback

Published March 10, 2020

Reviews

[Megan W · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not really care for this one. The Iowa City references were really the only thing I cared about. There's also a random greatest showman subplot for some reason???

[Stacy Siek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Being of German Catholic descent it made me think was my ancestors part of this. I am sure they were on the beer mafia side during probation. Love reading about familiar names and locations.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short easy read that is most interesting if you are an Iowa City denizen, either past or present, or from the upper Midwest (the overlap with a thriving beer making business and German immigrants is going to resonate with anyone from Wisconsin, for example). There are some great historic photos of the Iowa City northside as well.

[Devin Redmond]

S.C. Sherman’s 𝘉𝘦𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺: 𝘈 𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘰𝘸𝘢 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘉𝘦𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘧𝘪𝘢 is available to purchase at John’s Grocery. It’s also at ICPL. A friend porch dropped it for me. Thank you, Lisa!
The book is centered around real historical people in Iowa City: brewery owners Conrad Graf, J.J. Englert and John Dostal. It’s also centered around three real life incidents: a murder of a woman and her two children, a feud between the breweries and the Methodist temperance group who vehemently wanted alcohol outlawed, and the PT Barnum Circus in town.
There were moments when I felt like I was in 1880s Iowa City, but mostly I was reminded that I’m not a fan of organized religion, people with the money make the decisions, Iowa City has loved its beer for a long time, and that I hate circuses and zoos.
I skimmed the last few chapters. I loved the historical photographs.
I’m not going to rate this one.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

So here’s the thing about this book: as an Iowa history nerd, I loved reading about the history of Iowa City breweries, their beer caves, the “beer mafia,” prohibition politics, immigration themes... all of it. I thought the author did detailed research and really cared about telling this story.

However, I probably wouldn’t have finished the book if it wasn’t about this topic. I felt that the dialogue was uninspiring and the characters were very one-dimensional - especially the antagonist Vernice. And the opening was very jarring, and didn’t flow with the rest of the book. But as these are all historical figures and events, I would still recommend this book to anyone else who is interested in the narrow topic of the Iowan history of beer and prohibition.

[Barbara Langlois · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not particularly care for the author’s writing style, especially his dialogue writing. Unsophisticated and sophomoric. However, I found the story interesting and informative. I am a graduate of the University of Iowa and lived in the 400 block of E. Market St., so the references to the location of the breweries and the area around them was familiar to me.

[Michael Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was historical fiction which I found intriguing since I know Iowa City somewhat. The book wasn't a fast-paced thriller, but that was not to be expected. I enjoyed the book and pulled interesting tidbits from it to file away in my meager brain!

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick enough read to make it an enjoyable book for someone who grew up in Iowa and enjoys beer. I had no idea about the history of Iowa City’s breweries or Iowa’s pre-1900 prohibition. Overall plot struggles to be cohesive and limps to a conclusion.

[Bethsquires17 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that this is a town I know well!
Beginning was a bit rough and was not expecting that. I almost stopped listening to it there.
Same with the end.

[Stephanie Harvey]

Interesting story, but stiff, sterile dialogue.

[Brandy Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooo interesting!! You will want to go to Iowa City and walk around these old neighborhoods.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good historical fiction read that will appeal to those with Midwestern roots, especially anyone familiar with Iowa City.

[Jeffrey Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has a lot of interesting Iowa City history. My only complaint is that the author made the prohibitionist one dimensional characters. The story is told well with good pacing.

[Donna Bohlmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Currently being filmed as a movie in Iowa City, the book addressed an interesting piece of Iowa History! Really enjoyed the story, though the dialog was a bit cheesy.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book and incredible history! Looking forward to the movie this spring.
"Death of a Brewer"

[Angie Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an Iowa City local I did enjoy hearing about this history which was previously unknown to me. My great great great grandfather was a shoemaker in Iowa City in 1880s so I imagine him having a conversation with these characters especially Mr Hess whose daughter was murdered as they were both shoemakers. The author’s Imagination of their dialogue was simple. Curious to see the movie and see if a screenwriter does more with the dialogue