Pull Chain Pail Ale
YearRound - 5.5% ABV
A hybrid between American and British pale ale styles. American Cascade hops and British East Kent Goldings account for Pull Chain’s citrus and earthy flavor aromas, softened by malty undertones.
Availability : Brewed Year Round
Grain Variety : 2 Row Pale Ale, Victory Malt, Caramel Malt
Hope Variety : Cascade and East Kent Goldings
Color Description and SRMs : Golden Carmel
Bitter Units : 41 IBUS
Alcohol by Volume : 4.9 % ABV
Original Gravity : 13.0 P (1.053 O.G.)
Pullchain Pail Ale – the Story
Not long ago, a factory workers would be called to their union mandated beer breaks with the pull of the chain-activated steam whistle. Beer bucket boys, known as Kesseljunge, would hustle cold brew out to the workers before they returned to the production line. The beer was shuttled in tin pails, originally known as growlers precariously balanced on long sticks. The kesseljunge would be seen all over the city carefully serving between local taverns and the thirsty workers in every type of factory where German immigrants labored. The job required
careful balance to preserve every drop of the precious amber refreshment.(1)
As you might expect, this great tradition faded into folklore. In the entertaining book, “Bucket Boy: A Milwaukee Legend”, Ernest L. Meyer spins a tale of the aging Kesseljunge Old Heinz, the last to wear a path to between the Germania German newspaper and a local tavern.
Defined by the Workers!!
As we researched the story for our Paul Smith illustration, we had the opportunity to capture two great local manufacturers. We could have represented the break area of any one of the many breweries of the time. The amazing thing about this job benefit was that it occurred in all forms of labor intensive places. The perspective we chose is the Allis Chalmers tractor plant with one of the first Pawling & Harnishfeger (now P&H) bridge cranes in the background. The original P&H factory was located in Walker’s Point where our 2nd Street brewery is currently located. P&H, a world leader in mining equipment, survived many early challenges by producing brewery equipment.(2) There is no doubt that the proud workers in these and many other factories across Wisconsin attributed their productivity to the regular diet of the original frothy energy drink…beer!
When we decided to bottle Pullchain, the 6-pack and label were designed by 
Andrew Nordquist, with artist Matt Zimbo. The closeup image of the worker enjoying his break is based on a reference photo of Keith Ward, another local artist. Matt used the photos of Keith, and some welding sparks at the 2nd St Brewery, along with plenty of imagination to create a moment between a man and his beer.
Pullchain Pail Ale is bottled year-round, and can be enjoyed fresh at Milwaukee Ale Houses.
Our Pull Chain Pail Ale is a tribute to the working men and women who built this great city. DEMAND YOUR BEER BREAK!
(1) ref. Milwaukee Journal 12/7/1947, ref. “Bucket Boy: A Milwaukee Legend” by Ernest L. Meyer
(2) Joy Global website
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