A Book on the Breweries of Oshkosh

In the early 1970s, Ron Akin and his son David were hunting for partridge in Forest County when they spotted a few cone-top beer cans that had been discarded alongside the trail they were walking. For David, the discovery was the start to a beer can collection that would eventually number over 1,200 and for Ron it triggered a lifelong passion for the history and memorabilia of the breweries of Wisconsin and those of Oshkosh in particular. Now, his fascination will culminate in a book.

Ron Akin is currently at work putting together a book that will tell the story of Oshkosh’s brewing past. His intention is to produce a richly illustrated volume that will give an overview of the history of commercial brewing in Oshkosh supported by a prodigious collection of photographs of Oshkosh brewery advertising from the pre-phobition era though the early 1970s.

Most of Ron’s initial research has been completed, but he’s at a point where he he’d like to collect stories from people who were associated with the breweries of Oshkosh. Here’s where we can help. If you are aware of a person who may have had a connection with any of the Oshkosh breweries, please contact Ron Akin via email at rkakin@sbcglobal.net. Ron hopes to finish this project within the year, so if you have a lead, he’d appreciate hearing from you as soon as possible.

In the meantime, you can get a glimpse into what Ron has in the works, by stopping by the Oshkosh Public Library and checking out the DVD entitled The History and Advertising of the Oshkosh Brewing Co. (go to the Oshkosh Public Library website and search Akin, Ron). The DVD captures the lecture Ron gave about the Oshkosh Brewing Company at the Grand Opera House in 2003 as part of the Oshkosh Sesquicentennial speakers series.