Today we’d like to introduce you to Fritz Rahr.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Fritz. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
2004, I opened the brewery, but the story starts a long time before that…
In 1847, my Great Great grandfather William Rahr came over from Germany to open up the first Lager brewery in Wisconsin (Manitowoc, WI). We also opened up a Barley Malting processing plan t at the same time to handle our brewing needs. BY 1880 we had three breweries and three malting facilities in WI. by the turn of the century 1900, we exited the brewing aspects of the family business and just continued making Malt for beer – which is what the family business still does today. The family business is celebrating their 172 year anniversary this year.
I grew up in the beer family and it was something I always wanted to do in life. After 12 years working in the railroad and chemical industries, I put in my resignation – moved back to Fort Worth and opened the Rahr & Sons Brewery in 2004.
The first years were very hard, as not much craft beer was selling in North Texas. But through many Trials and tribulations, we have survived. We have grown slowly, conservatively, smartly over the last 15 years and this family-run business is now selling beer in 8 states across the central United States.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road has never been smooth, Cash flow, competition, growth management, employee and staffing and the regular ebbs and flows of any industry, created a very challenging environment to work in. Between 2004 and 2009, we came close to shutting down the doors three times. But we always found a way to make it work. One major hiccup was in February 2009, we had a very bad snowstorm which took down 20,000 sq/ft of our roof and shut us down for six months. We took advantage of that time though. We had great insurance and as a company, we retooled almost every aspect of how we did business. In the end, we came out stronger, leaner with a much more efficient process in place.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Rahr & Sons Brewing Company – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
What do I do, I do everything I can to help keep the lights on! I oversee operations, but as CEO I help formulate long term goals and create plans to meet these goals. As a company, I am proud of our ability to continually brew and maintain quality year after year with all of our brands. This is reflective in our numerous awards we win year after year all over the world. I think that’s what sets up apart from other breweries. Other breweries are known for maybe 1 or 2 beers. We are known for all of our beers!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and the least?
I like Dallas, it’s an amazing place, intertwined with so many different cultures and lifestyles. It’s an active city, on the move and vibrant – always ready for the next adventure. What do I like least about Dallas? – It’s 35 miles away from me. Would be nicer if it was a little closer, ha ha ha.
Contact Info:
- Address: 701 Galveston Ave
Fort Worth, Texas 76104 - Website: www.rahrbrewing.com
- Phone: 817-810-9266 office 817-602-6366 my cell
- Email: Fritz@rahrbrewing.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/rahrbrewing
- Facebook: Facebook.com/rahrbrewing
- Twitter: Twitter.com/rahrbrewing
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