Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
PICKETT, Joseph Sr.
PICKETT, Joseph Sr. (McKeesport, PA-Winfield, IL, Dec. 31, 1990). Pickett was the former owner of Iowa's oldest brewery. In 1931 Pickett graduated from Duquesne University with degrees in chemistry and bacteriology. He played professional football with the Pittsburgh Steelers for two years before taking up the brewing trade. In 1934 he graduated from the Siebel Institute.
For the next eight years, Pickett worked in a variety of breweries including Storz, Tube City and Overland before becoming assistant brewmaster in Chicago for the Schienhofen Edelweiss Brewing Company in 1942. He remained with the company through its merger with the Atlas Brewing Company and its purchase by Drewerys Ltd. in 1951. When Drewerys merged with Associated Brewing of Detroit, Pickett became vice president of Drewerys.
Called the oldest active brew master in the world, Pickett started the JOSEPH S. PICKETT & SONS BREWING COMPANY in Dubuque in 1971. Using the former DUBUQUE STAR BREWING COMPANY, Pickett reigned as Iowa's only brewmaster until the brewery was sold in 1982. Under his management, modernization of the plant began and by late 1977 nearly all of it was complete.
During his time in Dubuque, Pickett was responsible for developing Pickett's Premium Beer in 1973. This accounted for twelve percent of the Dubuque County market and was sold in Illinois and Wisconsin. Edelweiss and Champagne Velvet labels were acquired from G. Heileman Brewing in 1972. Pickett's also produced Fox Head 400 and Weber, two classic brands from Waukesha breweries. He also facilitated the filming of two MOTION PICTURES-- F.I.S.T. in 1977 and Take This Job and Shove It in 1980.
Agri Industries purchased the Dubuque brewery in 1980. The Dubuque Star Brewing Company was closed by Agri in 1983.
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Source:
175 Years, Volume 3, "Pickett is Remembered as a Man of Vision," Telegraph Herald, September 15, 2008
Obituaries. Chicago Tribune, January 6, 1991. Online: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1991-01-06/news/9101020380_1_mr-pickett-dubuque-president-and-brewmaster