The man is a hero who can withstand unjust opinion. Captain Frank Ruhstaller (November 8th, 1847 – October 1907) was an American Brewer, and a prestigious businessman of Sacramento, California. One morning on November 8, 1847, Captain Frank arrived nestled deep in the arms of his loving parents, Frank Sr. and Joespha Ruhstaller. This was a special day, as it was the day that Josepha gave birth to her very first child, while living in Ensiedeln, Switzerland. Captain Frank’s father was a hat maker, dairyman and his mother was a native of Germany.  Following preparation at Canton Berme, Ruhstaller came to American in 1862. He found a job in Louisville, Kentucky at Falls City Brewery.  After working at the brewery for a brief time, Ruhstaller gained enough knowledge and experience to move to St. Albany, Indiana.  At the rip age of seventeen, Ruhstaller became lead foreman in Paul Reising’s Brewery. Captain Frank Ruhstaller entered the Brewery Business in Sacramento California in 1865. After going to work in the City Brewery, Ruhstaller became foreman in six short weeks.  He held this position for a year, but of course Ruhstaller had his eyes on other projects.  At that time George Ocha was in control of the Pacific Brewery, and Ruhstaller thought it would be a good idea for him to work under this man, and learn as much as he could because he had dreams on one day opening his very own brewery.

Ruhstaller stayed with the Pacific Brewery for about five years, altogether.  Not only did Ruhstaller make beer, but he also drove a wagon.  Ruhstaller later expanded his career and bought interest in the Sutterville Brewery. Ruhstaller was in a partnership with Joseph Bechler, but the floods halted production, and Ruhstaller went back to his job at the Pacific Brewery. Creating another brewery empire, Ruhstaller bought into the St. Louis Brewery.  Ruhstaller’s business partners included Fritz Futterer and Henry Altpeter. After learning some new techniques, Ruhstaller went back to work at the Pacific Brewery for a third time. Once again Ruhstaller was delegated to driving wagons, and he eventually worked his way up to foreman.   During this time, Mr. Ruhstaller fell deeply in love with Miss Charlotte Oeste, a native of Germany.

The couple was married on Christmas day in 1870. Life was great. However, in 1873, Ruhstaller’s father fell ill. Ruhstaller caught wind of the news and rushed to Switzerland. Tragically, Ruhstaller’s father passed away before he arrived.  Sadden by the loss of his father; Ruhstaller would stop at nothing to build an empire that his father could be proud of. That same year Ruhstaller returned to Sacramento, California and opened a brewery near the Metropolitan Theater.  Ruhstaller went on to run this successful business for eight years. It is important to understand that Frank Ruhstaller was not the first person to open a brewery in Sacramento, but he was a very influential man. The first Brewery was called City Brewery and it actually opened in 1859 by William Borchers and Hilbert. The City Brewery was acquired by Mr. Ruhstaller in 1881. When Mr. Ruhstaller purchased the business, it was powered by horses and had a capacity of fifteen barrels each day.  He later made so many technological improvements to the business that it was pretty much an entirely new brewery. Mr. Ruhstaller enlarged buildings, and installed modern machines.  The brewery is now known as the Ruhstaller brewery, it is located on 12th and H Street.

The beer is of superior quality; it is derived of malt and hops. They focus on near beer, ice and special malts. Mr. Ruhstaller’s life story is a source of inspiration because all of the breweries he worked at and owned and because of his social status. Mr. Ruhstaller, a member of the Sacramento Hussars was crowned captain from 1878 to 1882.  In his family life Mr. Ruhstaller and his wife also went on to have eight children. However, four of them passed away at a very young age: Ottow, Wilhelmina, Otto, and Charlotte. The five that lived are: Anna, Frank J., Minnie, David and August. Mr. Ruhstaller’s Eldest son, Frank J. Ruhstaller, Jr. was born November 5, 1872. He went on to follow in his father’s footsteps. Frank Ruhstaller, Jr. was educated in city schools. At the age of fifteen, he went on to study an apprenticeship at the brewing business with his father. In 1891, Frank Ruhstaller, Jr. went on to work as a brewer of Fredericksburg brewery in San Jose, California for a little less than a year, but then he came back to Sacramento to work for his father. Looking to further his education, Frank J. Ruhstaller, Jr. attended the Chicago Brewing Institute and graduated within six short months. Much like his father, Frank Jr. returned to Sacramento and became a brewer in his father’s plant and was promoted to manager by 1906. Frank Jr. was a very social young man. He married Alice M. Root in 1899, and was even linked to the Masons.  “Putting out a product without promotion is like winking at a girl in the dark –well-intentioned, but highly ineffective.” -William Randolph Hearst   

 National Register #82002237

Ruhstaller Building

900 J Street

Sacramento

Built Late 19th Century Victorian