1824/1847
Frederick John Miller, founder of Miller Brewing Company, and Adolph Coors, founder of Coors Brewing Company, are born only a few hundred kilometers—and 23 years—apart. Miller was a renowned German brewer at age 25. Coors began his brewer’s apprenticeship at age 14.
1855
After immigrating to the United States a year earlier, Frederick Miller settles in Milwaukee where he leases and later purchases the Plank Road Brewery for $2,300. He brings a unique brewer’s yeast from Germany (its descendant yeast is still used in some of our beers), and goes to work brewing delicious beer.
1873
After stowing away on a ship to cross the Atlantic, Adolph Coors opens The Golden Brewery in Colorado with partner Jacob Schueler, who provides $18,000 for the start-up. Coors, just 26, chips in $2,000 plus his expertise and experience as a brewer.
1880
Adolph Coors buys out his partner, Jacob Schueler, to become sole owner of the brewery. Production is 3,500 barrels a year—but in just 10 years, Coors makes 17,600 barrels annually, and the company is financially on firm ground.