[www.brauwesen-historisch.de]
[U.T. Center for American History]
[U.T. Center for American History]
[U.T. Center for American History]
[U.T. Center for American History]
[U.T. Center for American History]
Howard Hughes’ connection with the Houston-based Hughes Tool Company is fairly well-known. It is less well-known that Hughes started a brewery in Houston, on the grounds of the Hughes Tool Company, called Gulf Brewing Company. Hughes opened the brewery at the end of Prohibition, and its profits helped the tool company survive the Depression.
Gulf Brewing Company produced Grand Prize beer, which for a time was the best-selling beer in Texas. It has been reported that a beer called Grand Prize beer was also produced prior to Prohibition, by the Houston Ice and Brewing Company. While that may be accurate, any confusion is likely connected to the fact that Hughes’ Grand Prize brewery was operated by the man who served as brewmaster at Houston Ice and Brewing before Prohibition. In 1913, while he was brewmaster at the Houston Ice and Brewing Company, Belgian-Houstonian Frantz Brogniez was awarded Grand Prize at the last International Conference of Breweries for his Southern Select beer – beating out 4,096 competing brewers. Brogniez left Houston during Prohibition, but Hughes convinced him to return to serve as brewmaster for the Gulf Brewing Company. Brogniez’ son operated the brewery after his father’s death.
More information:
Barlett, Donald L., and Steele, James B., Howard Hughes: His Life and Madness
“Magnolia Ballroom Showcases Brewery Museum,” fohbc.com
Update: The above are photos of a can of Charro Beer, which appears also to have been a Gulf Brewing product.
20 responses so far ↓
brucesw // March 21, 2007 at 6:46 pm |
This appears to clear up some confusion over Grand Prize which I knew had survived the Magnolia Brewery. In the 50s as I recall, Grand Prize sponsored the Baseball Game of the Week on TV (national); one of the announcers was former Houston Buff pitcher Dizzy Dean.
I have a vague memory of commercials in the 50s for Grand Prize saying ‘breweries in Galveston and El Paso.’ Maybe I have that mixed up with some other beer.
Houstorian // March 21, 2007 at 9:53 pm |
Yeah, there is some confusion out there about who made Grand Prize, when, but the post-Prohibition link to Gulf Brewing is very strong. I suppose it’s possible that Brogniez had enough ownership of the name that he was able to take it with him from one brewery to another, assuming there he did brew it at Magnolia previously.
I’ve definitely seen references to Dizzy Dean playing for the Buffs before playing for St. Louis, which is pretty cool for Houston.
I think your memory is likely right about Grand Prize in El Paso. In my post on Brogniez, I mentioned that he moved to El Paso during Prohibition (which a TABC public information officer recently told me didn’t end in Texas until 1935), to work with brewing interests in Juarez – so maybe there’s a connection based on that alone. But I’ve also read that Grand Prize entered the El Paso market in the 1930’s, and by 1936 was taking away considerable business from the Harry Mitchell Brewing Company, which produced Mitchell’s Special Lager, and which had previously dominated the market. And it appears that there was at least a “Grand Prize Distributing Company” in El Paso from 1939 to 1943, based on other info I’ve seen. Put it all together with your recollection, and it sounds like El Paso was indeed a land-locked outpost for Grand Prize Beer, at least for a while.
Your reference to Galveston reminds me that, while I didn’t mention it above, I believe that Galveston, over time, became an important production site for Grand Prize Beer, too.
By the way, the U.T. Center for American History site has a whole bunch of Grand-Prize-in-Houston-related photos – far more than I could post here. Definitely worth a look.
Thanks for the contributions!
- Tracey
michael // June 26, 2007 at 1:51 pm |
do you have any information on the beers Frantz brewed in Teere Haute indiana
Mark // October 28, 2008 at 2:47 pm |
I Have been fortunate enough to aquire a large grand prize beer sign. I believe this sign is real and old. It has a white stripe on top where any buisiness could write or paint thieir name of the establishment. I nremember seeing one like this when I was a kid. More recently I have found a print from a famous texas artist that he drawed up in the early seventies. This sign is almost perfect nos. Does anyone know what it might be worth ? My guess would be priceless ! wolfntx777@yahoo.com
encafence // October 28, 2008 at 3:16 pm |
I read some of the posts and I think it is a great site. I like to flaunt my frequent action I have a good fresh joke for you! Why do birds fly south for the winter? Because it’s too far to walk.
AB // December 24, 2008 at 4:15 pm |
Gatemouth Brown made a record about Grand Prize beer. It’s called “Pale Dry Boogie.” Grand Prize sponsored a lot of bands in Texas.
Derek Larson // December 31, 2008 at 1:24 pm |
To my knowledge, GP produced Charro and Buccaneer brands in 1957 and only for a short time. There has been a story going around for years that six mint condition Charro and six Buccaneer cans were found in an attic on the east side of downtown Houston some years ago and are the only known mint condition cans found. I have seen a few examples over the years that have sold for around $2,000 a can. If anyone has one out there please let me know. Also, Hamm’s Brewing company bought the GP operations around 1962 and brewed here in Houston until (what I’ve heard again and one can see it on Hamm’s beer labels for a time) 1967 when there was a fire at the brewery and Hamm’s then pulled out of brewing in Houston and began it’s decline as a national brewer. That is why one will find old Hamm’s signs around Houston from time to time. Derek
Ken Knisely // February 15, 2009 at 6:21 pm |
Gulf Brewery only had a plant in Houston. Falstaff, which bought Southern Select in Galveston in 1955, also had a plant in El Paso. I think that’s where the confusion is coming in.
Ken Knisely // February 15, 2009 at 6:24 pm |
Derek;
There are more than six good condition Charros and Buccaneers in existence. They can be had for less than $2000 each.
Ken Knisely // February 15, 2009 at 7:11 pm |
Houstorian;
Grand Prize was never made in Galveston.
Houstorian Tracey // February 16, 2009 at 7:41 am |
Ken – I looked quickly and couldn’t find any reason why I thought there might have been a Galveston brewery. Maybe I was confusing manufacturing and distributing. Thanks for the comments.
Ken’s site includes an interesting chronology of Houston breweries.
Ava Hayes // February 21, 2009 at 9:01 am |
I have an old “Pale Dry Pete” statuette that I discovered in an abandoned house some years ago. I remember GP 20 – Grand Prize Beer celebrating its 20th anniversary? My older brother drank it. I would like to find out the value of Pale Dry Pete. Does anyone have an idea?
Sam Weeke // March 24, 2009 at 11:42 am |
My father worked at Hughes Tool and on Fridays would come home with a free case of Grand Prize ’shorts’. These were bottles that were not filled to the proper level and could not be sold, so Howard gave it to employees. My dad passed away last spring and I have a collection of glasses, some coasters and a zippo lighter. I am intersested in the clock and statue listed above and would like to ‘hear’ from you if you still have them.
Ava Hayes // March 25, 2009 at 4:20 pm |
I still have Pale Dry Pete. Still have no idea what the value might be.
Ken // June 23, 2009 at 6:58 pm |
If you email me a pic, I can tell its worth. Thanx.
Ken
liz // June 23, 2009 at 6:25 pm |
I also have a zippo lighter bearing the Hughes Tool logo with a signature on it. Can anyone tell me anything about it? Any history or estimated worth would be appreciated.
Randy S. // June 27, 2009 at 1:22 pm |
My parents were GP drinkers. My father did not work for Hughes, but on his way home (Seabrook) from work, he would stop by the brewery and pick up a case or 2. I have an old can/bottle opener with the Grand Prize logo. I also have pump keg tap that probably came from a Grand Prize keg many years ago. Both are cherished items, even if the keg pump isn’t authentic!
Steve // August 17, 2009 at 3:01 pm |
found a milk glass ash tray advertising Grand Prize beer— looking to find info and/or value
thanks
Ken Knisely // August 17, 2009 at 3:04 pm |
Steve;
its worth about $10, give or take
Rota // November 11, 2009 at 7:15 pm |
I have a Grand-Tastin’ Grand Prize Beer Coaster. It has a photo of a building and the caption below is “Third Capitol of the Republic of Texas located in Austin 1839-42 and 1845-46″ Gulf Brewing Company, Houston, Texas.
It’s in perfect condition. Do you know what it may be worth and/or if anyone may be interested in it.
Please email me at rvenners@cox.net
Thanks!