1881
German Immigrants, William Gretz and Leonard Rieger start Rieger and Gretz Brewing Company on 1536 Germantown Ave in Philadelphia.
1910
Leonard Rieger passes away at the age of 65. His widow sells his partnership of the brewery to William Gretz.
1920
Prohibition begins in the United States. Rieger and Gretz continue production, brewing “near-beer” with a maximum alcohol content of 0.5% ABV.
1923
Prohibition Agents Frank Curry and William Brennan investigate Rieger and Gretz for violating the National Prohibition Act. Agents seize 10 different samples of beer ranging from 0.64% ABV to 4.63% ABV. The brewery closes for one year until it successfully disputes the allegations as “high-handed and unwarranted”.
1933
Prohibition is repealed and the brewery emerges as William Gretz Brewing Company, one of only 20 surviving Philadelphia breweries.
1941
The man on the Penny Farthing high wheel bicycle logo is introduced. Designed by the brewery’s advertising agency, Gaere-Marston, the old-time man riding a high-wheeler bike was a throwback to the 1890’s and meant to reinforce the brewery's classic and time-tested brewing methods. “Made the old-fashioned way…slowly…naturally”
1949
William Gretz Brewing Company reaches peak production at 241,803 brewing barrels.
1951
Gretz Cavalcade of Girls premiers on WFIL-TV. The 60 minute, live talent and variety show aired Thursday nights at 11:30. Local young women competed for the title of “Gretz Golden Girl”. A panel of judges- celebrities and representatives of the beauty and brewing industry chose the winners. Gretz Brewing also had a barbershop quartet, men’s and women’s bowling team and a televised sports show, “The Gretz Sports Scrapbook”.
1954
Robert J. Gretz, director of sales and grandson of William Gretz leaves the brewery and founds Delco Beverage Company, a wholesale beer distribution company. Delco Beverage Company later became The Gretz Beer Company, a highly recognized Anheuser Busch wholesaler and eventually one of the most regarded craft beer distributors in the country.
1961
William Gretz Brewing Company ceases operations as one of the final four breweries in Philadelphia. The original brewing complex remains as a Philadelphia landmark at the corner of Germantown Avenue and Oxford street with the iconic smokestack reaching towards the sky.
2018
Gretz Beer Company sells the wholesale distribution business to family owned Penn Beer Sales and Service.
2025
Gretz Brewing Company is back!
