When you think of New York’s beer-brewing past, Bushwick—the once German neighborhood home to a dozen breweries in the 19th century—probably comes to mind.
But Staten Island? Yep, the borough had a beer-making industry of its own, thanks to the fresh springs there.
One was the Rubsam & Horrmann Brewing Company, in the town of Stapleton (photo from the NYPL).
Was R&H beer-ale any good? I haven’t found anyone who recalls trying it.
But I did find some history. Launched in 1870 by two German immigrants, R&H switched to near-beer during prohibition before going back to the good stuff in the 1930s.
By 1953, R&H was bought out by the Piels company, which had its own brewery in East New York. Piels closed the R&H plant and the brand entirely a decade later.
Tags: Beers of the 19th century, Bushwick breweries, defunct beers, Piels beer, Piels East New York, R&H Beer-Ale, Rubsam & Horrmann, Stapleton, Staten Island, Staten Island beer history, Staten Island breweries
Ephemeral New York 
March 17, 2010 at 4:56 am |
I remember looking down on the remains of these buildings from the old 103 Hylan Boulevard bus in the early 1960s. About 15 minutes into its 45 minute trek from St. George to Tottenville at the southern tip of Staten Island, the bus would pull up out of Stapleton onto Hylan Boulevard and on to a slightly elevated vantage point that afforded a good view of the old brewery.
March 17, 2010 at 5:12 am |
I wish I had a better photo. I imagine the brewery buildings were bulldozed decades ago.
March 17, 2010 at 5:08 pm |
The buildings were demolished sometime in the early 2000’s to make way for townhouses.
They sat at the intersection of Broad St. and Vanduzer St. For many years, a bar called The Caves operated out of the old brewery. Fun place, crazy times.
September 5, 2013 at 8:17 pm |
I bet these were the beer caves behind Demyan’s Hofbrau. when i was in the delta nu fraternity at wagner in the 1960’s we opened these caves up as the owners were honorary brothers and fond of we young lunatics and we had some of the greatest parties ever in them.
March 18, 2010 at 1:44 am |
[…] A long-gone brewery in Staten Island « Ephemeral New York […]
March 18, 2010 at 8:48 am |
[…] A long-gone brewery in Staten Island « Ephemeral New York […]
April 5, 2010 at 7:18 pm |
Hi, I appreciate your time for answering my question. I found a bottle on the beach and I was wondering if you could tell me how old it is. It is a 12 1/2 oz green bottle. It has the letters R & H on one side and on the other it has an emblem with a crown. Around the bottom rim it says Rubsam & Horrmann Brewing Co New York.
I tried to research it myself but had no luck. I really appreciate your time.
April 5, 2010 at 7:42 pm |
I really don’t know, especially without looking at it . . . all I can say is it dates between 1870 and 1963.
April 25, 2010 at 6:30 pm |
Hi, I too have a beer bottle. Green, maybe 10/12 oz., wire holding a cermamic top. Bottle and top have Rubsam and Horrmann Brewing Co. Staten Island NY. Top also has RH, one on top of the other, in the middle. Back has This Bottle Not to be Sold. There are no chips or cuts, wire holding top is 100% in tact. I can’t find any infomation about value. If needed, I can sent photos. Thank you.
February 25, 2023 at 1:19 pm |
Hi. The bottle would date from right around 1900 and with the porcelain crown I would estimate it to be valued around $15-20 if no cracks or chips.
May 2, 2010 at 10:59 am |
i was digging up a foundation wall at my home dated from 1954 and found a beer can inside the wall, the name was easy to read. Rubsam & Horrmann Brewing co. Internal Revenue Tax Paid. I thought it was funny.
May 28, 2010 at 10:25 pm |
ken, I would be interested in seeing that can, if condition is good. I collect ’em.
October 31, 2013 at 2:22 am
I wonder if you would be interested in buying my beer can collection? About 100 cans from the 50’s-60’s….
Caddyglo@aol.com
June 9, 2010 at 9:05 pm |
I have a wooden case with bottles. Not R&H but the names spelled out on the case. Rubsam & Horrmann brewing co. with their logo on the side
June 12, 2010 at 11:52 pm |
Can you tell me if Piels Beer was sold in small glass barrel shaped brown bottles? My husband and I remember that but others say no…Piels was only made and sold in cans. I appreciate your help in this.
July 22, 2011 at 2:46 pm |
Yes indeed, I can say that Piels was sold in those brown glass barrel shaped bottles. Being a native of Staten Island, N.Y., I can remember seeing those bottles on a regular basis.
August 12, 2010 at 5:54 pm |
I purchased the house opposite the brewery at the bottom of the hill @ Gordon St. in 2000. The builder/owner of the house made his fortune repairing the brewery trucks and I have a 5-Truck garage on my property!
September 23, 2010 at 8:14 pm |
Hello,
I was digging where they built some new homes. I dug up a few bottles bearing “Rubsam & Horrmann” Brewing Company Stapleton SI…Registered 1889. Actually, I dug up alot of other bottles as well from other Brewerys. All the bottles are intact. I am interested in selling some and donating some to a historical society of some kind. Can you give any suggestions?
Thanks
Dan
December 9, 2010 at 5:37 pm |
I just dug up a beer bottle marked STATEN ISLAND LARGER BIER ADOLPH ANTHES.The bottle has (this bottle not to be sold) and is green cast with a knob top. Any info???
February 15, 2011 at 6:34 am |
I remember the foul smell from the R & H and later Piels brewery from the playground of PS 14 on Tompkins Ave. The brewery closed in the early 1960s. I am now living in Texas used to live on Targee St near Laurel Ave
March 30, 2013 at 3:29 pm |
I lived on Broad Street near the Firehouse and next to P.S. 14..I, too, have a R&H (green) bottle..says “registered” on it..my name is rosalie donnelly bernstein..left there in 1960.
September 9, 2014 at 1:35 am |
I have fond memories of the strong smell of the Piels beer walking by the brewery on the way “downtown” in the 1950’s. There was a turkey farm opposite P.S. 14. I also lived on Targee at Young Street. There was an animal feed store opposite the brewery.
May 24, 2011 at 8:41 pm |
Wow! Dave, I can still smell the foul stench. I lived just around the corner from the brewery. Grove and Hygia. Played in the truck parking lot where the old ice house used to be, next to the old playground. Went to Immaculate Conception, late 50’s early 60’s. Played “hot beans are ready” at the courthouse. Climbed Hormann’s Hill, great view of Piels.
April 18, 2013 at 8:41 pm |
Dominick Presiosa! My mother still talks about you! Magdalen Knauer, she lived at 108 Targee Street, SI. I am her daughter, Barbara. We’d love to hear from you!
Thanks,
Barbara
April 18, 2013 at 8:49 pm |
Nick, I’m just realizing that you may be Dominick’s son if you played in the playground 1950s-1960s. We are about the same age. Wow! I got go excited when I saw your name. A real blast from the past.
April 19, 2013 at 12:35 pm |
Nick, I talked to my Mom last night and she said it was Joey that she dated in the 7th grade! That was in 1944. She was 14. Is Joey your Dad or maybe your uncle?
July 14, 2014 at 9:00 pm
Hi Barbara, happy you saw my post. Dominick was my grandfather. Joey was my uncle. How is your mom doing? Hope all is well.
My mom lived on Targee also. Do not know the address. Between the courthouse and Frean street. Had some lion statues out front of the house. Maybe your mom remembers the Iannatto family. Hope you see this response soon. Perhaps I can find you on facebook. Love to talk with you.
April 10, 2015 at 5:47 am
ITS A SMALL WORLD !
May 28, 2011 at 12:45 pm |
I just received some things of my grandfather, who used to live on Staten Island, and one of them is a shiny metal beer bottle opener, engraved with “R&H BEER-ALE”. Does someone know when they made these? I know this opener goes back at least to 1940.
September 4, 2011 at 6:39 pm |
I have a metal serviing tray advertising R & H BEER -ALE in superfine condition– any idea of value also have several Rhinegold and schafear trays as well would enjoy hearing from someone
October 3, 2011 at 4:03 am |
My grandfather ran the R and H brewery in the thirties and I am interested in any memorabilia from it. Do you still have the tray?
October 31, 2013 at 2:27 am
My grandfather was a salesman for the R & H Brewery back in the 50’s. I have many promo items from the Brewey
, which I would be interested in selling…contact me at caddyglo@aol.com….
September 6, 2011 at 1:54 am |
[…] When the company dropped the campaign, the beer’s popularity plunged too. After taking over a few other local breweries, Piel’s sold itself to a Michigan brewer and bid Brooklyn good-bye in 1973. Advertisement […]
September 26, 2011 at 3:49 pm |
I have three brown bottles with a R & H Bock beer label all of which are sealed and full of beer. From the other comments posted who expressed an interest in the value of such bottles, was anyone able to determine a value?
November 9, 2011 at 6:25 pm |
I live in St. George, S.I. and might be interested in the 3 bottles, especially if they still have beer in them. Wonder if it is any good?
November 9, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Yes, they still have the beer in them with no evaporation which is hard to believe after all this time. Doubt it is good to drink. If you are interested in purchasing make an offer.
March 10, 2012 at 3:55 am |
Hi I was wondering if the R&H bock bottles are still available. My father worked at a firehouse near the brewery (just after Piels bought it out) and I collect items from R&H, Thanks Mike
March 10, 2012 at 2:35 pm
You can try Victorian Brothers Antique Shop on Staten Island on Manor Road and Victory Blvd., they have a lot of R&H material, including bottles. There are always R&H bottles and Piels cans on Ebay.
March 12, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Yes, still available. Would you like to make an offer on them?
July 15, 2017 at 4:49 pm |
Hi is there any chance you might have any R&h beer items thspat you would sell ? Thanks frank Dotti fdotti@aol.com or 917- 829-0023
November 1, 2011 at 8:21 pm |
There is an interesting story that mixes fact and fiction about the brewers role in the creation of Stapleton if anyone would like to take a look.
November 9, 2011 at 6:26 pm |
There is also a good photo history book of Stapleton, with lots of photos of all the Breweries. It is put out by Arcadia Press last year.
March 19, 2012 at 8:22 am |
Hi Michael. Thanks for the reply. Can you send me a picture of the full r&h bottles? I am curious about the condition of the labels. I believe they date to the late 1940s
March 19, 2012 at 11:42 am |
ok will take a couple of pictures and send them to you
March 23, 2012 at 8:01 am
Thanks that will be great. Mike
March 26, 2012 at 1:41 pm
Hi Mike, I took the photos of the bottles I have. What is your direct e-mail address so I can attach them. Not sure how to do it on this system.
March 26, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Hi Mike – my email is suemikedondi@hotmail.com
Appreciate the follow up on the bottles. Thanks – Mike
April 10, 2012 at 7:16 pm |
Paul Steffen, Plattsburgh, NY
April 10, 2012
R & H really got around. While in Casablanca, Morocco in 1954, I drank a can of R&H beer at the American Bar. I knew that the brewery was closed since I lived on Staten Island until 1952. When underage, I remember drinking R&H several times, thought it tasted pretty good.
Not the end of the story. I got stationed in Plattsburgh in 1975. While fly- fishing in the Saranac River in Morrisonville, I found a green R&H bottle partially buried in the sand. My father had never seen a bottle like this and he lived on the island since 1928.
Does anyone have any more information other that that which I have just read?
teepee@primelink1.net
June 18, 2012 at 11:38 pm |
It was owned by my relatives
August 6, 2012 at 3:21 am |
WOW!! I’m sure you can provide a lot of information that can not be found on the internet.. Are you related to the Rubsam or Horrmann side?
July 12, 2012 at 5:36 pm |
My dad used to tell stories about working at a food store next to the brewery…..maybe an A&P…seems the guys on night shift would bring sandwich makings and the guys from the brewery fresh beer…they’d meet in the ally & eat…
August 21, 2012 at 2:08 pm |
I have some coasters from my Grandmother. In great shape. Never used. my Mom is 77 so you know how old they are.
September 1, 2012 at 1:27 am |
My father in law worked for an advertising agency (commercial artist) and we just came across an advertisement poster he did the art work on for R&H breweries which prompted me into looking up the name. Poster is in great shape.
October 5, 2012 at 9:50 pm |
Hi Frank – that’s really neat that a family member did some artwork for R&H. I would enjoy seeing a picture of the advertisiment poster to see if I have seen it before (I collect R&H beer stuff). I can provide my email address… Thanks Mike
October 31, 2013 at 2:32 am
My grandfather was. Salesman for R&H back in the 50’s. I’ve got a lot of unusual promo stuff from the brewery. If you’re interested in buying, I’d sell..
Contact me at caddyglo@aol.com
June 23, 2016 at 1:58 pm
Hi mike do you have any r&h items you might want to trade.or sell. Or we can do some trading I got lots of doubles thanks frank Frank@aol.com
June 23, 2016 at 2:04 pm
Hi mike or anyone who may have some r&h items who may want to sell or trade I have lots of doubles thanks. Fdotti@aol.com
May 3, 2017 at 12:36 am
Hi frank do you still have R&h items for sale ?? thanks
May 22, 2016 at 3:13 pm |
Do you still have any r&h items left let me know thanks Frank
September 15, 2017 at 12:45 pm |
Hi frank do you still have R&h beer items your willing to sell let me know thanks frank fdotti@aol.com
September 15, 2017 at 1:13 pm
I have many beer bottles from 1885 – 1905 different Staten Island breweries if anybody wants to buy. All were dug out of ground from a housing project in 2004 djman1st@yahoo.com
September 28, 2012 at 4:59 pm |
Coming from Bayonne starting in the late ’40s the beer taste was rather musty and strange. We called it Rotten and Horrible. I remember the Log Cabin and Lily Lamont
December 5, 2012 at 7:48 pm |
December 26, 2012 at 3:09 pm |
My grandfather was a supervising brewer at the R&H brewery. I visited the brewery often as a kid. Grandpa would put a pair of giant rubber boots on me and let me tag along as he would check on the fermentation of the brew in huge vats. The employees had a small bar in the heart of the plant and I was seated on the bar and was always given a small glass of beer to drink with the guys. My favorite place of the brewery was the bottling area where empty bottles rattled along a conveyor, were filled, capped and dropped in cases- really noisy. At the rear of the brewery was their electrical generating facility. This building was immaculate; you could eat from the floor! I recall the racket of the shiny red generators producing electricity for the plant. The executives of the brewery had a beautiful private bar painted with typical German hunting murals and there was also lots of hand carved woodwork. I hope the backbar and handcarved swinging door to the men’s room were saved during demolition. My grandfather drank one bottle of R&H weekly at Sunday dinner. I remember that it had a skunky odor and was a strong beer. It was called Rotten and Horrible by lots of people, but was still drunk with gusto.
My folks and grandparents lived on the side of the hill above Stapleton just below August Horrmann’s beautiful castle. I guess I’m one of the few people around who can say that I was actually in the castle for a Christmas open house in the forties.
There’s a bar in Tottenville with loads of R&H memorabalia. I gave them some trays and coasters years ago.
The pungent smell in Stapleton was a normal product of fermentation – I liked it! If you ever brew your own beer, this yeasty smell will fill your basement.
The R&H brewery provided work for many men in Stapleton beacause it was in operation round the clock. Even bigger than R&H was the Bechtel brewery, whose last remainining brick building had an inscription at the top and was on Broad Street at Van Duzer. I now live in S.C. so I’m not sure if it’s still there. I was a class of ’54 graduate of Immaculate and have millions of memories of pre-projects Stapleton.
January 2, 2013 at 6:01 am |
My Grandfather was the Brewmaster at Piels in Stapleton until 1971. I wish I had a good photo of that building. If anyone has one please post a link.
January 9, 2013 at 5:20 am |
I remember going to a park with swings, it might have been a school yard and seeing the old brewery that was abandoned at the time (1967). I lived in the projects at 212 Broad street and often walked past the vacant building while walking with my mother to the stores in Stapleton. My last memory of the building was running past it in 1986 when I was running the Stapleton Steeple chase and came in second place. I was amazed that the building was still standing. I left Staten Island in 1981 when I joined the USMC and live in SD CA. My mother gave me a Coster with the brewery logo a few years ago and it is displayed in my bar inside my home along with other vintage beer signs.
February 3, 2013 at 10:20 pm |
My grandfather was supervisor of the shipping end of the business. I remember my parents saying they had their wedding reception in a hall at the brewery that the owners allowed employees family to utilize for such events. They were married in 1943 just before my dad shipped out with the navy during WWII. My mom lived on Hudson Street, my Dad lived on Hylan when they met. Moved to Levittown on Long Island in 1947. I still have a boatload of relatives living on Staten Island. Sounded like simpler times and workjers that were appreciated, how times have changed.
February 19, 2013 at 3:09 pm |
I found an R & H glass bottle. I was wondering how old it is
July 25, 2013 at 5:32 pm |
Came across this recently!
August 31, 2013 at 2:45 pm |
An update on my previous letter. Hopefully someone could give me some information on the green glass R&H bottle. I still hae the bottle and thus far found on one who has a replica. The can of R&H beer I drank in Casablanca in 1954 had to be several years old. It still tasted pretty good. After I retired, I was ofice manager of a beer distributor. I was with a regional rep when I first had a bottle of icy cold unpasteurized beer. It was a treat, tasted much better than the final product. I’m speaking of Stroh’s beer, at this time brewed in Pennsylvania.
My new E mail address is paulsteffen1934@yahoo.com
September 16, 2013 at 12:53 am |
another R&H coaster
September 17, 2013 at 7:06 am |
Rubsam & Horrmann Brewery in Stapleton was our playground growing up in Stapleton 1960s & 70s. We knew every nook and cranny of those buildings. Before R&H it was Atlantic and of course Piels bought it in the 50s. I loved that clock I used to see it everyday from My House. I too remember the foul stench when they used to brew. Stapleton was one of the greatest neighborhoods on Staten island in the 60s and early 70s before it’s demise.
September 29, 2013 at 2:43 am |
Recent addition R&H beer coaster collection
October 6, 2013 at 10:29 pm |
The crown on the r&h bottle might indicate Crown Premium which was brewed late in the life of the company.
June 2, 2014 at 10:05 am |
I grew up in rosebank,but stapleton was my hang out in 50 and 60s.i had my car serviced at billottis service station on Tompkins ave.i hung out with guys named bobby prestal,jackie ryan,ronnie scron,ed gerkens,who would be my best man at my wedding in 58.that is just a few of the names I remember,i live in florida now,but the 50s I will never forget.working setting pins at park row bowling alley for joe dondyand madalones.also working in the paper factory in rosebank.well I just hit the age of 77,hope some of the guys are still around,had some good drinkers theni went under the name of [fafo]real name matt iacovelli.if there is anyone that remembers me from bowling or hanging out in park let me no thanks
June 3, 2014 at 1:01 am |
My maiden name was Rosalie Donnelly..I will be 73 in August..Jackie Ryan, I believe had a cousin named Barbara Armstrong. We both lived on Broad St., I lived near PS 14; she over Mackauers Garage. My brothers were Dennis, Micky and Terry and John.. I also live in Florida…in Ormond Beach, near Daytona.. I went to Curtis HS..did you know Edie Strofield?
Rosalie Donnelly Bernstein
June 3, 2014 at 6:27 am |
matty iacovelli says:yes your right Jackie did live on broad st.i live in st pete for over 30 yrs now.i may no you.do you remember bobby Prestel,he had a sister named Barbara.jackie I believe live near firhouse and remember miss petes grocery store right next to firehouse?i remember mackauers garage,i went around the corner to sams service station,i also worked at dejongs on Tompkins ave,it was a big paper factory near train tracks.well it was nice to hear from you.keep in touch……………matty iacovelli
November 3, 2014 at 4:20 pm |
Hello Fafo remember Moe I was your best man.I live in Citrus co. Fl. near you.
November 17, 2014 at 7:47 pm |
give a call 352 208 1522
February 6, 2015 at 8:42 pm |
Hi, Ed,
I assume you are the Eddy I went to Immaculate with, class of ’54.
If so, give me a reply. I’d like to see if you have any news of our old classmates.. I’m retired and living in Bluffton (Hilton Head Island), SC.
May 31, 2015 at 1:11 pm |
Hi All:
My dad, Lawrence Nolde, was sent by Piels Brewery after the R&H purchase to Staten Island to coordinate delivery schedules with those of Piels. This was a killer commute for Dad as we lived in Lynbrook on Long Island.
Dr. Kenneth Nolde
August 6, 2015 at 1:19 am |
Hello all!
Here’s a link to some photos of my father and his friends playing ball on Tompkins with the R&H Brewery in the background, ca. 1970. My dad played for the team sponsored by the Westbrook Tavern on Brook & Westervelt while he lived there.
Mike Medina
Chicago
February 17, 2016 at 11:35 pm |
FOUND A R&H QUART CONE TOP CAN IN A ATTIC IN NC.COOL CAN LOOKS GOOD HAS INK STAMP ON BOTTOM #897 ANY WORTH OTHER THAN IT LOOKS COOL.
May 3, 2016 at 12:37 pm |
Hi I’m interested in purchasing your can let me know thanks frank
May 3, 2016 at 12:38 pm |
Hi mike same message as before thanks frank
April 30, 2017 at 8:37 pm |
Hi mike any more R&h items I’m a buyer fdotti@aol.com
May 27, 2017 at 9:29 pm |
Kathleen
May 27, 2017 at 9:33 pm |
I remember growing up next too the brewery, as kids we’d take wood from the brewery too build forts. We used too climb Hormanns hill and sit on some old stairs from the castle.There were always rumors of a tunnel from the brewery too the castle.Its sad they didn’t keep the castle as a historical site.
June 15, 2017 at 6:15 am |
ISO vintage beer bottles from Staten Island, Martin Mueller Bottling or Henry Schenkel Bottling..
July 15, 2017 at 4:59 pm |
Hi Are any of the bottles still with their paper labels and if so are they for sale thanks frank fdotti@aol.com
September 15, 2017 at 4:08 pm |
I have many beer bottles and others from 1885-1905. I dug them all up when they were doing construction for some homes back in 2004. Will sell if interested. djman1st@yahoo.com
November 17, 2018 at 12:35 am |
Hi anyone out there selling buying or trading for r&h beer items please let me know thanks frank. Fdotti@aol.com
July 12, 2019 at 8:07 pm |
My husband is 82 and was born & raised on Staten Island. He remembers drinking R & H beer as a 17 year old. Unfortunately he doesn’t remember how it tasted! He does remember riding with his father past the brewery growing up.
He joined the army that year and served 22 years
June 26, 2020 at 3:17 am |
I see this post is a few years back but I will give it a try. I have a photo that a friend is trying to get some info on of a R & H sales display for their light beer. Not sure of the age of the photo but I couldn’t even find any internet resources when the light beer came out. Thanks in advance.