Samuel Liebmann
Samuel Liebmann | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Aufhausen, Bopfingen, Germany |
| Died | November 21, 1872 (aged 73) |
| Occupation | Brewer |
| Known for | Founder of S. Liebmann Brewery (later Rheingold Breweries) |
Samuel Liebmann (November 12, 1799 – November 21, 1872) was a brewer of German origin who established the S. Liebmann Brewery (which later became Rheingold Breweries) in Brooklyn, New York. Following his passing, the Rheingold Extra Dry brand emerged as one of the leading beers in New York City during the mid-20th century, particularly from the 1940s through the 1960s.
Biography
Samuel Liebmann was born in 1799 into a Jewish household in Aufhausen, Bopfingen. He was the son of Joseph Liebmann, a merchant by profession. Upon his father’s death in 1832, Samuel and his brother Heinrich acquired and managed the Schloss Schmiedelfeld estate with success. In 1840, he relocated to Ludwigsburg where he purchased the Gasthaus "Zum Stern," which included a brewery that he operated profitably. Due to his involvement in the 1848 German Revolution, he faced business limitations that ultimately influenced his decision to emigrate to the United States. In 1850, he dispatched his son Joseph Liebmann ahead to prepare for the family's move; they joined him in New York City four years later.
In Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood, Liebmann leased the Maasche Brewery on Meserole Street and rebranded it as S. Liebmann Brewery. Once this lease expired, he established a new brewing facility at Forest and Bremen Streets in Bushwick. After his wife passed away in 1865, Samuel retired and entrusted the brewery’s operations to his sons.
Personal life
Samuel Liebmann married Sara Wasserman Selz in June 1828. Together they had six children:
- Bertha Liebmann Stein (born June 28, 1827), who wed Samuel Stein
- Rosa Liebmann Obermeyer (born July 28, 1829), married David Obermeyer; their family included Emmeline Obermeyer, spouse of photographer Alfred Stieglitz
- Joseph Liebmann (December 20, 1831 – March 26, 1913)
- Fanny Liebmann (born March 27, 1833), married Joseph Liebmann (a cousin of her father); among their descendants was Clara Liebmann, mother of writer Paul Rosenfeld
- Henry Liebmann (December 6, 1836 – March 27, 1915)
- Charles Liebmann (November 16, 1837 – June 12, 1928)
Samuel Liebmann passed away in 1872 at his residence in Williamsburg and was interred at Cypress Hills Cemetery located in Brooklyn.