An important piece of local brewing history that has stood in Reading’s City Park for over a century needs our help.
The statue of pioneering brewer Frederick Lauer was vandalized three months ago. The figure honors the pioneering brewer from Reading, PA who became the first President of the United States Brewers Association (USBA) in 1862. The USBA was the first professional brewing trade organization founded to help advise lawmakers on sensible taxation of beer production.
When constructed in 1885, the Frederick Lauer statue was erected in Reading to honor the brewer. The USBA hired Henri Stephens to create the statue, and it was placed in City Park with the consent of City Council.
The Lauer statue was the first statue erected on public land in the city of Reading and was paid for completely by the USBA. No taxpayer funds were used to erect the statue.
The statue is a bronze life-size representation of Frederick Lauer wearing a suit and overcoat on top of a rectangular cement pedestal. Each side of the statue contained a plaque giving information about Lauer.
In April 2015, Golden Avalanche Brewing Company head brewer Colin Presby, Bill Covaleski of the Brewers of Pennsylvania (BOP), and Steve Hindy of the Brewers Association (BA) talked about cleaning, restoring, and re-dedicating the statue of Frederick Lauer. However, the four bronze plaques at the base of the statue were removed by vandals that same month.
Concerned about the damage of such an important piece of brewing history, Presby and the BOP contacted the City of Reading and their Historic Preservation Director. The project is currently in a bidding phase per City procedure, but the BOP is moving forward with additional fundraising and event planning.
Join the Brewers of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania’s 150+ breweries honor the rich brewing history in the Keystone State by pitching in to restore the Frederick Lauer statue.
You can support the campaign to fund new plaques for the statue by donating to the Brewers of Pennsylvania. Any $50 donation will be rewarded with BOP Enthusiast Membership & T-shirt.
Any $75 donation will be rewarded with BOP Hoodie & Enthusiast Membership.
Any $100 donation will be rewarded with BOP “Brewers Work Shirt” & Enthusiast Membership.
This state is rich in brewing history and continues to grow. Please join with us, raise your glass and help restore the Frederick Lauer statue.
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