A dramatic turn of events took place on May
26, 1903, when manager Ben Frierott Sr. died. The decision was made to disband the old
company, and form a new one with new management. The name of the brewery was changed to
the Star Brewing Company on July 1, 1903. J.B. Meyer sold his interest to Frank
Herkenhoff. The members of the board of directors were as follows: Matt Goeke - President,
Frank Herkenhoff Sr. - Vice President, Charles Herkenhoff - Secretary/Treasurer &
Manager, A.W. Gerwals & George Van Oss served as directors.In July of 1907, Van Oss
stepped down, and he was replaced by Anton Frierott. At this point, Star Brewing was a
leading brewer with an annual output of 15,000 barrels per year. The incorporated company
had started with $1,000 worth of capital, and consisted of the brewery, several buildings,
ponds, an ice house, and a warehouse in at least eight surrounding communities. A 100 hp
and a 20 hp steam engine were installed to process grain. Two artesian wells were drilled
to supply the needed water, and a generator took care of the electric needs of 60 lights
in the entire plant. This was one of the most modern breweries in the country. It was also
one of the highest buildings in Minster, and was very efficient because the brewing
process started at the top with the grinding of the grain, and continued downward with the
help of gravity. The various ingredients were added along the way. There was no need for
pumps or other elaborate equipment.
There were no tractor trailers or route trucks to deliver beer in the early 1900's, but
instead there were five wagons and teams of horses. They were busy year round. There were
twenty-five employees back then, with a monthly payroll of $1,000 -- $1,500.
The brewing came to a screeching halt when prohibition
was enacted in 1919, and Star Brewing was forced to lay off some employees. However, eight
to ten remained and kept the business running with a new line of soft drinks and near
beer. A home malt tonic was also introduced which claimed to be of use to nursing mothers,
frail children, convalescents, the elderly, and for all who were run down or had nervous
conditions. Picture an old bearded man with a top hat, standing on his soap box, giving
the big sales pitch! Local residents and former employees reported that the low alcohol
stuff was the same brew as the pre-pro drink. Maybe this accounts for the raid by F.B.I.
officials in December 1921, when the brew was discovered to have an alcohol content of
3.33 %, when the legal limit was less than 1%. The brewery also sold ice that they cut
from their ponds, and did anything to keep the doors open.
By this time, the name had changed to the Star Beverage Company. They survived
prohibition with the new products, and when repeal came along in 1933, the brewery took
off again. They enjoyed a rapid sales increase, and once again business was booming. The
beer from the small brewery was shipped throughout most of the United States, either by
rail or truck, and in later years, by a distributor network. There were approximately 50
distributors in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia.