Reisch Brewery
of Springfield, Illinois
an Arcadia Publishing book in progress by Tony White and Job Conger

Pictured above, Tony White, left and co-author Job Conger, right.

In early 2009, Arcadia Publishing editor Jeff Reutsche contacted me, Job Conger, author of Springfield Aviation (available wherever fine books are sold) and asked me to work with Tony White, who had made an excellent start putting together a book about Reisch Brewery. At the suggestion of the fine people at Lincoln Library's Sangamon Valley Collection, Tony had contacted Arcadia offering to produce a book about the brewery, a Springfield landmark for more than 117 years, they gave him the green light. I was asked to help because I am a writer/photographer by profession with one Arcadia book under my belt, and am always ready for new adventures in publishing. After a few emails and phone conversaiions with Tony, it was obvious we could work together, combining talents and resources. We decided the distance between my home in Springfield and his in Winchester would not present a barrier we could not breach, and the fun began.

The Reisch Brewery book both at the Beer Can Collectors of America 2009 National "Canvention" in Springfield, Illinois.

Above: This gentleman signed up for e-mail updates about our progress with the book. Right: Reisch family members pose for a picture at the Canvention.

We met in Springfield in September at a national beer can collectors' convention: three days of filling my empty head with brewery lore and meeting some terrific people, enthusiastic about the book. Pictures Tony had sent to Jeff for perusal and selection for the book, and basic layout for the book was formulated. The latter process was easy, thanks to Arcadia's prepared materials that spell things out in detail. While examining pictures and text on hand, it became clear we needed more pictures of the brewery, people who worked there and local drinking establishments with Reisch advertising on their windows. Equally importantly, we needed memories from people who worked at Reisch, drank their fine lager beer and participated in Reisch activities beyond the brewery. For example, we know they sponsored local baseball teams and perhaps bowling teams. Do you remember them? What can YOU tell us about them? What did you think of the beer, compared to other beers you enjoyed before the brewery closed in 1966 to make way for the new Southern Illinois School of Medicine?

This web site is one of two dedicated to Reisch Brewery and producing the Arcadia book. The other, the original web site, nicely produced and maintained by Tony White may be viewed at www.ReischBrewery.com or call him toll-free:  877-548-7400. Tony's conventional mailing address may be obtained by writing to him if you have materials and memories to share with him. Write Tony@Medipak.com  Write to me if you like writer@eosinc.com  or call me: 217-544-6122. If you have pictures we can use for the book, you may contact me to arrange a visit to my home where I will scan the pictures while you watch, and give them back to you. The same applies if you have memories to share. I will come to you, or you may come to me, or we can meet with my tape recorder at your favorite watering hole in central Illinois. The first brew is on me.

Why have two web sites for the same book? Some contributors will find it easier to work with Tony in Virginia, but a co-author in the city where Frank Reisch made brewing history is easy to reach for local people who want to spend time face to face as they contribute to the success of our book.

Watch this site for pictures and updates of Springfield progress. Tony is compiling an a-mail list of good people who want to receive his periodic updates from him. Contact him to be on that list.