Schell's celebrates 140 yearsBrewery is city's oldest business

By SARA SYVERSON

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Perfect weather beckoned people to the "140th Anniversary Schellabration" held Saturday afternoon at the Schell's Brewery, New Ulm.

"It's gone great. We can't complain," said Ted Marti, president and brewmaster of Schell's Brewery, "The humidity's down, the weather's great. It's gone exactly the way we wanted it to go. I think people are enjoying themselves and that's the ultimate goal. It's just a perfect day."

Marti estimated approximately 1,000 to 1,500 people came to the brewery to celebrate with them.

Some of the activities of the day included the special dedication of the Zumpfbaum (the celebration tree) near the entrance on the grounds, beer tasting of the 38 contract beers Schell's produces (Schell's makes 13 of their own beers), tours of the brewery and grounds, and facepainting and balloon-tying for the youngsters.

"The Zumpfbaum tree celebrates life and reminds us where we came from -- it celebrates 140 years in the brewing industry," Marti said during the dedication ceremony, "It also celebrates your support, without your support we wouldn't be here."

Marti said that four or five tours with about 20 to 25 people in each group, were given every hour, said Marti.

Exhibitions were set up on the grounds educated people on beer kegs throughout the decades, a wooden keg making machine, a Schell's packaging exhibit, hop and malt exhibits and also the history of the Schell's Brewery.

"It has been going real well in the (beer) tasting room," said Alan Solberg, of New Ulm, "It has been real busy since about 2 p.m. in here. A lot of people from the Cities have been asking where they can buy it."

German food such as brats, sauerkraut, and potato salad were also served to the visitors.

Musical entertainers played all afternoon including the Schell's Hobo Band, the Concord Singers, "Smiley" Wiltscheck on his concertina, a German Bavarian Band from St. Paul and a bag pipe band also from the metro area.

Schell's Brewery has sponsored the Schell's Hobo Band for the past 52 years, Marti said.

"I think they're putting on a real nice celebration," said Norman Burrows, of Moundsview, "They've got music and everything else to go with it. It's a nice way to spend the afternoon. I'm just relaxing and enjoying myself."

Burrows said he was personally invited by the Marti's to attend the celebration. He has done some refrigeration work for them in the past for them, he said.

One Northfield woman was not even expecting to go to the celebration and ended up spending the afternoon there with her family.

"I was excited and surprised to be here," said LeaAnn Ayotte, of Northfield, "It should be fun. We'll listen to some good music and drink some good beer."

Several clowns helped the children with balloon-tying.

"We've been having a great time," said 'Tacky' the Clown, "We've been doing balloons with the kids and they all have about three each now. It's beautiful out here ... I just love the gardens."

Carter and Kaye LeBeau of Davenport, Iowa, said they did not intend on going out to the brewery for the celebration. They were traveling through the area and stayed at the Deutsche Strasse Bed and Breakfast and learned from their hosts the Sonnenbergs about the celebration at the brewery.

"This just made our whole day," said Carter.