Many prefer exclusively imported beers. But in vain. An ancient Zhigulevsky brewery operates in Samara , the products of which are of excellent quality.
How it all started
It was founded in 1880 by Alfred von Wacano. He did not have to start a business from scratch. On the banks of the Volga there was already a brewery owned by the city government. Previously, it was owned by the merchant Bureev, who could not organize the brewery in such a way that it would be profitable. So Zhigulevsky brewery was rented for 100 years.
Straight to the point
Mr. von Wakano began launching the production of new types of beer - Vienna and Vienna Table. During the year, he managed to develop 35,670 buckets of foamy drink. Not only was von Wakano engaged in production. He demolished the old and rebuilt the new buildings of the plant, ennobled the embankment and surroundings. Thanks to his efforts in the production facilities, it was very clean, which was unusual for the Russian reality of that time, as was the electric lighting that was carried out on the territory everywhere. The owner constantly improved his brainchild, expanded production, completed the building. Over time, a one-story stone barn was built to store dishes and malt, a water pump, a filter station, residential buildings, carpentry and locksmith workshops. A little later, a two-story forge, elevator, warehouse appeared.
Universal recognition
The owner of the factories created the Partnership in 1881, and in 1896 it already received the gold medal of the trade and industrial exhibition in Nizhny Novgorod. In 1900, the Zhiguli Brewery received the highest award at the Paris Industrial Exhibition, in 1902 in London, in 1903 in Rome. The total number of gold medals received over 14 years is 15, and other prestigious awards received during this time must be added to this.
Diverse interests
In the possession of Alfred von Wakano was not only the Zhiguli brewery. Seven years later he built a gas factory. The city authorities in exchange for building permits demanded to supply gas to the local theater and Strukovsky garden. Von Wakano agreed to these terms. The partnership owned several ships and had its own marina. In addition, the plant owner did a lot for the arrangement of the city itself. He laid tram lines, sewers, and maintained a hospital built at his expense and transferred to the city. He laid down Pushkin Square and ennobled Theater Hill. Von Wakano has collected a rich collection of art from Asia and Europe. Now she is in the Samara Museum of Art.
What happened next
Despite all the good deeds, Alfred von Wakano and his son Vladimir were exiled to Buzuluk in 1915 on suspicion of espionage. Before this, the Zhigulevsky brewery itself was closed. Samara never again saw von Wakano as its owner. This happened also for the reason that a prohibition was passed in 1914, the authorities fought zealously with alcohol. From 1915 to 1920, production was suspended. The factory premises turned into warehouses where grenades and ammunition were stored. The mill organized the production of canned goods for the needs of the army. After 1920, the Zhiguli Brewery (Samara), the photos of which are presented in this article, began to belong to the National Economy Council. In 1923, the two sons of Alfred von Wakano, Erich and Leo, will take the plant for rent for 12 years and start brewing beer again. However, for a long time they will not linger on it, and it will again become the property of the state trust. Beer is brewed on it now. Since 1992, the plant is owned by Zhigulevskoe Pivo LLP. A memorial tablet with the name von Wakano is placed on the factory building.
Nowadays
Over the past years, the plant was reconstructed, its territory was expanded. The main thing is that production has been maintained and even increased. Who today is not familiar with such a beer as Zhigulevskoye? This drink is made from light malt, barley and hops. At exhibitions, this variety takes prizes. Few people know that this is the former "Vienna", which was renamed in 1934 with the light hand of the People's Commissar of the Food Industry Mikoyan.
Another popular name for the drink that is produced here is “Samara”. It was developed in 1959. The creator was the chief brewer of the plant A. Kasyanov. Several other beers produced at the factory are named after its first owner: Von Wakano, Von Wakano 1881, Von Wakano Elit, Von Wakano Vienna. By a good tradition, all components of the drink are natural. In addition to alcoholic beverages, Zhigulevsky factory produces familiar lemonades: Pinocchio, Sayany, Pear and others - as well as clean sparkling water.
Zhigulevsky brewery (Samara), whose address: Volzhsky Avenue, Building 4, is a tourist attraction of this city. We can be proud of our country where they produce such high-quality beer, using old recipes for this. However, the story of Alfred von Wakano makes one wonder whether they did the right thing to the person who did so much for Samara?