From the Archives: The 50 Year Member - Part Twelve - Demon Rum

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Bro. Bill Hosler, PM

“I can't believe this!” Herb Johnson exclaimed. “This is going to destroy Freemasonry!” Mike Bailey smiled, “Aww come on Herb. We all know what happened the day you were raised.” The entire dinner table busted out in laughter. The color in Herb's face turned bright red as he began to wave his arms around in a wild manner. “You mark my words! When this is implemented you are going to see Masons laying on the front steps of the temple drunk as a skunk. The fraternities’ reputation will be shot!” Herb punctuated each point of his argument by pounding his fist on the table.

The usual lodge dinner that always before the stated meeting, was more animated than usual. The members discovered that a resolution was passed at the recent Grand lodge communication repealing the ban on alcohol within a Masonic temple. Masonic lodges within the state were now allowed not only to possess alcohol, but also enjoy a drink before and after a Masonic event.

“I think it's a good thing”, Brad Sloffer said as he cut a piece of meatloaf. As the manager of this building, it gets frustrating showing the building to people who want to rent the hall for a wedding reception and then tell them you can't serve alcohol at the party or even to toast the couple's future of the bride and groom. They look at you like you are from Mars and then you never see them again. I can honestly say we have lost at least a hundred thousand dollars in rental revenue in just the last few years alone by this silly rule!” Mike Bailey retorted, “We need every dime to keep this building going. The temple is falling down around our ears! Makes me wonder how many temples in the state could have been saved from being sold or from the wrecking ball if we wouldn't have had this silly rule.”

“It isn't silly!” Herb said loudly, his voice nearly shrill. “This ruling will ruin us! How many of our Brethren will get pulled over for DUI's on their way home from a meeting? I'm sure there are many members who have been alcoholics in their past. Do we really want to tempt them with alcohol? What would our Masonic forefathers think of all of this?”

The 50 year member put his fork down and snickered. “I think they would ask why it took so long to repeal this rule and then question us why this silliness began in the first place.” Herb looked at the old man dumbfounded. “John I can't believe you support this. You of all people should know what this will do to Freemasonry!”

“I know exactly what it will do for Freemasonry. It will save it.” The 50 year member continued. “If you go and read the minutes of this lodge or any other lodge that was chartered before this silly ban you will read about the fine dinners and celebrations that the lodge held. Fine foods and barrels of cider, beer and yes even hard liquor was purchased by the lodges for the enjoyment of the members. There was a real spirit of fraternity. It wasn't just cold coffee and a frozen lasagna from a big box store. Those gatherings feed the soul as well as the body.”

Herb continued, “You are missing the point John!” Are you not concerned about our members getting
sloshed and giving the Craft a bad name?” “Absolutely not! The 50 year member exclaimed. Herb you go down to the Shrine and you would see many members enjoying a beer on a regular basis. How many Shriners do you see sloppy drunk and passed out in front of the Shrine Center? None! The reason you don't see it is because the members of this fraternity are responsible people. We watch out for each other. If it looks like a brother might be drinking a bit too much you then whisper good council in his ear and find him a ride home. I find it a bit hypocritical of us to say we can drink in this Masonic building, but not the other building just because of the symbol displayed on the front door.”

The old man continued, I also find it hypocritical to say we allow only the finest men to join our exclusive group but then we tell them we do not trust them to drink an alcoholic beverage. Then we preach that we do not convert the purpose of refreshment into intemperance or excess. We say one thing then we practice another. How can we be taken seriously if we speak out of both sides of our mouths?

We are a fraternity that began above taverns. Our Brethren would come to lodge, enjoy a drink or two and then open lodge. When the business was over, they would enjoy a drink and have a large festive board complete with toasts. Do you think George Washington lifted his glass in a toast filled with grape juice? Of course not! It was a glass filled with a fine wine. I doubt if excessive drinking was even considered by these men. They were gentlemen of refinement and knew how to conduct themselves.

The only reason we had this silly rule was because of a few temperance zealots and religious fanatics gained control of our Grand lodge in the Victorian era and forced their will on our members. There was nothing Masonic about it at the time and there is nothing Masonic about it now. In my opinion, this was the first upright step in the destruction of the fraternity. The United States is the only country in the world that denies their Brethren a drink in the building. Tell me Herb, have you heard about rampant alcoholism and alcohol induced car crashes in any other country that involve Masons?

Herb seemed stunned at the 50 year member’s statement. “Well, maybe but times are different now. What about a Brother who is a recovering alcoholic? All we would be doing is tempt him to fall off the wagon.” The old man shook his head. “I've been hearing this old saw for years. This is another example of why we should have been protecting the west gate all these years. It clearly says in the requirements for membership in our Grand Lodge that the petitioner cannot be an alcoholic. He shouldn't have been made a Mason in the first place, but since he is here and obviously he will not be going anywhere; his Brethren will keep an eye on him. They would make sure he stays on the straight and narrow. That is what we do.”

Herb began muttering under his breath. “I better get the lodge ready for opening. I will see you all inside.” He rose from his chair and walked away. Mike Bailey snickered, “Well I guess he isn't happy right now, but to be honest I am.” Mike continued, “I like the sound of having a drink before lodge and enjoying a fine meal after we close.” Brad Sloffer smiled. “I'm happy too! It was frustrating for years to see every other reception hall in town filled most all weekends just because they can serve alcohol. Maybe now I can rent the hall on New Year’s Eve too. We have such a beautiful, ornate ballroom that just sits empty because we could not rent it regardless of the price being offered. Maybe now I can compete with our competition! Our caterer told me this will become THE venue now! Not only will we be able to keep our building, but the profits will go a long way to restore and repairs things that have been neglected for decades.”

Pudge, who stayed silent during the debate finally spoke up. “I like the idea of coming into the social room and having a nice scotch with a cigar as I have a nice Masonic discussion with my Brethren. It sounds like what grown-ups would do.”

“I agree Pudge.” The 50 year member replied. “For years we have been saddled with this rule. Members would leave the lodge as quickly as they could so they could enjoy fellowship somewhere else instead of the building their dues paid for. Now maybe we can restore the fellowship our Fraternity greatly needs to restore. I really think we are on the right track. I bet this place will become a beehive of activity again like it used to be”

Pudge smiled. “Exactly! I don't think anyone looks at this as an opportunity where they can now get hammered at lodge and then go home. This is just another way I can spend time with my brothers in a place that was built by Masons who came before us.” The old man smiled. “I like how you put that Pudge. For years I have had an antique bar in storage that would be perfect in the Social room. I think we need to take a look at it and think of the perfect place to put it.”

~BH

WB Bill Hosler was made a Master Mason in 2002 in Three Rivers Lodge #733 in Indiana. He served as Worshipful Master in 2007 and became a member of the internet committee for Indiana's Grand Lodge. Bill is currently a member of Roff Lodge No. 169 in Roff Oklahoma and Lebanon Lodge No. 837 in Frisco,Texas. Bill is also a member of the Valley of Fort Wayne Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in Indiana. A typical active Freemason, Bill also served as the High Priest of Fort Wayne's Chapter of the York Rite No. 19 and was commander of of the Fort Wayne Commandery No. 4 of the Knight Templar. During all this, he also served as the webmaster and magazine editor for the Mizpah Shrine in Fort Wayne Indiana.

From The Midnight Freemasons Archives: The Masonic Conspiracy Behind Rolling Rock Beer

by Midnight Freemasons Founder

Todd E. Creason, 33°

 

"Beer is proof that God loves us, and wants us to be happy."

~Benjamin Franklin

There has always been speculation that there is some connection between Latrobe's Rolling Rock Beer and the Freemasons--I mean, it's obvious, there's a '33' right on the bottle!  And the 33rd degree is the highest degree that can be attained by Freemasons.  Is it possible the Latrobe's were Freemasons?

It's one of those great beer controversies--where did the '33' come from?  Everyone seems to have a theory, and nobody has the definitive answer. 

And there are many theories:

-One common theory is that it was to celebrate the repeal of prohibition in 1933.  That was an important year for brewers and beer drinkers alike!

-Another legend is that the Rolling Rock brewery was started with money won at the horse track. The winning bet was placed on #33, "Old Latrobe," and that is why there is a horse and the '33' on the bottle.

-Another has it that brewers in those early days belonged to the local union #33.

-Another claims the reservoir the brewery got its water from was fed by 33 streams.

And the theories go on and on and on . . .

Sadly, the most likely version is the least exciting.  It may have simply been a printers mistake in the beginning.  This version of the story comes from a very reliable source--the former CEO of the company.  He was also very interested in where that '33' had come from--his name was James Tito.  What he discovered is actually very simple.

The slogan on the back of the bottle read originally:

"Rolling Rock – From the glass lined tanks of Old Latrobe, we tender this premium beer for your enjoyment as a tribute to your good taste. It comes from the mountain springs to you."

That's 33 words.  There were a number of different versions of the slogan in the beginning, but the Latrobe family finally settled on the shortest one--the one that ran only 33 words.  Somebody noted that in the margin, and when it went to the printers, the printers didn't realize that the 33 wasn't part of the text and included it. The mistake wasn't discovered until a large batch of bottles had been produced, and back in those days, the labels were painted right onto the bottles, and those bottles were reused, which explains why the mistake wasn't immediately corrected

And just maybe it wasn't corrected later because of the stir it had created when those bottles reached the public.  Everyone talking about and debating what that '33' meant and speculating about where it had come from.  Perhaps Latrobe saw that controversy as a good thing.  Here it is more than seventy years later, and people are still talking about it.  I guess you'd call that 'beer buzz'.

So that's the big Masonic conspiracy behind Rolling Rock Beer.  It doesn't have anything to do with the Freemasons at all.

Not to propagate a myth, but I can tell you, I do have it on good authority that at least one 33rd Degree Freemason enthusiastically approves of the product--he finds it crisp and refreshing with a easy-to-drink flavor. 

In fact, I think I'll go have one now . . . 

~TEC

I couldn't even guess when I wrote the original version of this piece.  Probably in 2007.  I rewrote it and expanded it after 2011 and again after 2015.  I added the Ben Franklin quote to this version.  Let's just say it's made the rounds over the years.  I like it because it's one of those weird conspiracy theories attributed to the Masons that people like to talk about--like the imagery on the the back of the Grand Seal of the United States that everyone claims is Masonic.  I thought I'd post it again--I saw a discussion on the topic in one of the Masonic social media groups.  They were both wrong as it turns out . . .  Enjoy!

Todd E. Creason, 33° is the Founder of the Midnight Freemasons blog, and an award winning author of several books and novels, including the Famous American Freemasons series. Todd started the Midnight Freemason blog in 2006, and in 2012 he opened it up as a contributor blog The Midnight Freemasons (plural). Todd has written more than 1,000 pieces for the blog since it began. He is a Past Master of Homer Lodge No. 199 and Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL) where he currently serves as Secretary. He is a Past Sovereign Master of the Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees. He is a Fellow at the Missouri Lodge of Research (FMLR). He is a charter member of the a new Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter No. 282 and currently serves as EHP. You can contact him at: webmaster@toddcreason.org

Rolling Rock Beer: Elixir Of Illustrious Freemasons?

There has always been speculation that there is some connection between Latrobe's Rolling Rock Beer and the Freemasons--I mean, it's obvious, there's a '33' right on the bottle!  And the 33rd degree is the highest degree that can be attained by Freemasons.  Is it possible the Latrobe's were Freemasons?

It's one of those great beer controversies--where did the '33' come from?  Everyone seems to have a theory, and nobody has the definitive answer. 

And there are many theories:

-One common theory is that it was to celebrate the repeal of prohibition in 1933.  That was an important year for brewers and beer drinkers alike!

-Another legend is that the Rolling Rock brewery was started with money won at the horse track. The winning bet was placed on #33, "Old Latrobe," and that is why there is a horse and the '33' on the bottle.

-Another has it that brewers in those early days belonged to the local union #33.

-Another claims the reservoir the brewery got its water from was fed by 33 streams.

And the theories go on and on and on . . .

Sadly, the most likely version is the least exciting.  It may have simply been a printers mistake in the beginning.  This version of the story comes from a very reliable source--the former CEO of the company.  He was also very interested in where that '33' had come from--his name was James Tito.  What he discovered is actually very simple.

The slogan on the back of the bottle read originally:

"Rolling Rock – From the glass lined tanks of Old Latrobe, we tender this premium beer for your enjoyment as a tribute to your good taste. It comes from the mountain springs to you."

That's 33 words.  There were a number of different versions of those slogan in the beginning, but the Latrobe family finally settled on the shortest one--the one that ran only 33 words.  Somebody noted that in the margin, and when it went to the printers, the printers didn't realize that the 33 wasn't part of the text and included it. The mistake wasn't discovered until a large batch of bottles had been produced, and back in those days, the labels were painted right onto the bottles, and those bottles were reused, which explains why the mistake wasn't immediately corrected

And just maybe it wasn't corrected later because of the stir it had created when those bottles reached the public.  Everyone talking about and debating what that '33' meant and speculating about where it had come from.  Perhaps Latrobe saw that controversy as a good thing.  Here it is more than seventy years later, and people are still talking about it.  I guess you'd call that 'beer buzz'.

So it's unlikely Rolling Rock has anything to do with the Freemasons. Not to propagate a myth, but I can tell you, I do have it on good authority that at least one 33rd Degree Mason approves of the product. It's not his favorite by any means, but he finds it crisp and refreshing with a easy-to-drink flavor.

~TEC

Freemasons And Beer

Of course when you think of Freemasons and beer, most people think of one Freemason in particular.  Samuel Adams.

And rightly so.  The Samuel Adams Brewery produces in my opinion (which is backed up by years of extensive field research) some of the most finely crafted beers in America.  But in reality, all evidence seems to discount the fact that Samuel Adams was a brewer. Sam Adams was a malter--he worked in a malthouse which produced malt that was used in beer, but he was not a brewer himself.  But he was a great American Patriot, a Founding Father, and also a man that enjoyed a nice dark ale.

You might even think about Benjamin Franklin.  He was a man that enjoyed all the pleasures that life had to offer, and sometimes to excess as he would be the first to admit.  He also coined the famous quote that all beer drinkers know by heart, and share enthusiastically the sentiment.

But in reality, it was George Washington that perhaps knew his beer better than any other of the Founding Fathers.  And after the Revolutionary War, George Washington had a strictly "Buy American" policy about beer as he told his friend Lafayette in a letter, "We have already been too long subject to British prejudices. I use no porter or cheese in my family, but such as is made in America; both these articles may now be purchased of an excellent quality."

George Washington bought his porter from a brewer in Philadelphia.  In fact, it was his secretary's job to make sure he was well supplied when he returned to Mount Vernon.  Washington's secretary, Tobias Lear once wrote to the brewer:



Washington's Beer Recipe



"Will you be so good as to desire Mr. Hare to have if he continues to make the best Porter in Philadelphia 3 gross of his best put up for Mount Vernon? as the President means to visit that place in the recess of Congress and it is probable there will be a large demand for Porter at that time."

I take that to mean that when George was home, it was important to make sure the fridge was well-stocked with cold beer.  Of course, if George ran it, all wasn't necessarily lost--he had his own beer recipe. 

That's right, it wasn't Sam Adams that was the brewer, it was George Washington.  In fact, he wasn't only a home brewer, he was a distiller as well.  In 1799, Mount Vernon was the largest producer of rye whiskey in the United States.

Ever since the birth of our nation, beer has been the beverage of choice for Americans.  In fact, at a large parade in Philadelphia that celebrated the ratification of the Constitution, several of the local brewers marched in the parade under a banner that read:  "Ale--proper drink for Americans."