Yuengling workers toast retiring brewmaster

Norbert worked with 3 generations of family over 57-year career

From the Pottsville Republican

In the middle of N. Ray Norbert's retirement speech Friday afternoon after 57 years at D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc. brewery, there was a ``crash.''

A Jaycees plaque had accidentally been knocked over.

``The place is already falling apart without you, Ray,'' joked assistant Brewmaster Bronwyn A. Tulloch.

Norbert, brewmaster at Yuengling for nearly 39 years, retires Jan. 29.

Kind words were exchanged during a reception at the brewery's Rathskeller barroom, which drew about 60 co-workers and friends.

There's been a lot of changes and upgrades through Norbert's leadership, which kept the brewery going and set the stage for the upcoming expansion, said brewery owner Richard L. ``Dick'' Yuengling Jr.

Vice President of Operations James L. Helmke said being a brewmaster is one of the oldest professions, and ``it's a special thing to do. There aren't many brewmasters on the planet.''

Norbert created Yuengling Light and claims most of the credit for Yuengling Lager, he said. His tenure extends through three generations of the family: Frank D. Yuengling, brothers Richard L. and F. Dohrman, and the current owner.

``I feel it was a great privilege and honor to have the Yuengling family to have trust in me to help bring the company up to the successful position it is in now,'' he said.

Norbert's retirement gift was a six-piece miniature copper brewhouse from the era Norbert began working in the business. Various workers presented each piece made by Holtzmann Creativ Werbemittel, a German company wrapped separately in red paper with Yuengling labels and logos on them. One had a hi-cone plastic that keeps a six-pack together wrapped into a bow.

The base reads: ``Ray Norbert Master Brewer. In appreciation For Your Years of Dedication & Service. Dick Yuengling.''

He also received a beer cup and shot handmade by the brewery maintenance crew.

Norbert, who would only say he's over 65, said his daughters, Elena Russell, 36, of the Philadelphia area, and Janet Bushinsky, 32, of the Fogelsville area have been badgering him to retire for a decade.

Another factor, he joked, was when he asked Saint Peter if he'd have another 50 years to live, and couldn't get that assurance.

Advice from his son-in-law, Dr. John Russell, at a summer get-together, hit home. The doctor said he's never heard a terminally ill patient wish to have worked more in life. ``You're in pretty good shape, so enjoy it,'' he advised Norbert. ΠHe'll keep busy

In an interview earlier Friday, Norbert recalled another employee who put off retiring a couple years too long: he died within a month afterward. Another employee probably never saw his first Social Security check, he added.

He also was told retirement would give more time to chase women. ``That's what convinced him,'' someone joked in the barroom.

His wife, Jean P., died of breast cancer in 1984. Norbert said he occasionally dates when he has the time.

But like in his job, he doesn't plan to become complacent and let things go. He's not the type to sit around and watch television, he said.

His father, when he retired, rose at 6 a.m. and worked around the house until midnight and he plans to follow in his father's footsteps, he said.

Still, it's a great chance to visit his two daughters and play with his grandchildren Janet had twins in December.

He plans to spend more time enjoying his hobbies: fishing, hunting, gardening, bird watching, photographing, and participating in a Hawk Mountain Sanctuary nature club.

It will also give him time to get at the projects around the house the lifelong Shenandoah Heights resident has been planning for 20 years.

He plans to stop by the brewery occasionally to chat and see how things are progressing, especially with a second brewery under construction near the Saint Clair Business Park.

He wants to become more computer-proficient, and he's even been asked to write a book about his experiences, the brewery and the Yuenglings. ΠGot start in 1942

Norbert joined the brewery in 1942 and did various jobs. In 1960, he accepted the position of brewmaster when the brewery was pumping out about 80,000 barrels a year. By 1991, that had grown to 164,000; it hit 400,000 barrels in 1996 and about 600,000 last year. The new brewery will produce 1.2 million barrels.

When he joined, the brewery was still using wooden fermenters. They have been upgraded to steel, the steam-driven refrigeration was long-ago switched to electricity, and new, compact boilers have been installed, among other changes.

Norbert said he could have left for other breweries, but he felt Yuengling would be successful, he liked the area and had friends here.

As for the brewery's future, ``we have capable people here to run the show,'' he said. That includes assistant brewmasters Jeffrey Tito and James P. Buehler. Buehler, a 27-year employee, takes on Norbert's position in February.

``I have great admiration and respect for all of the employees and assistant brewmasters that worked with me,'' he said. ``Without their effort and cooperation, it would be impossible to attain our goals.''

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For Norbert, it was in the blood