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Friends Of Delaware's Gambrinus Statue, Inc.

Friends Of Delaware's Gambrinus Statue, Inc. is dedicated to restoring the King Gambrinus statue, a symbol of Delaware's brewing heritage, and promoting the state's rich beer culture through events and community engagement.

You are bidding on an original, framed oil painting of the historic Diamond State Brewery by Wilmington, Delaware artist Jimmy Thompson, captured as it stood in 1945. The piece measures an impressive 29&quot; wide by 35&quot; high (with a depth of 1&frac14;&quot;) and is set within a beautifully proportioned 2&frac34;&quot; antique gold frame.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rendered in vivid color and striking detail, the painting brings the brewery to life once again: its red-brick fa&ccedil;ades rise beneath a dramatic blue sky, crowned by a tower flying the American flag. The familiar figure of Gambrinus&mdash;King of Beer&mdash;appears on the brewhouse, toasting the city just as he once did in days gone by. A period automobile and the sloping Fifth Street in the foreground root the scene firmly in mid-20th-century Wilmington.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Diamond State Brewery at Fifth and Adams streets was once a titan of the local brewing industry&mdash;rebuilt in 1882 under Joseph Stoeckle. At its peak, it stood not only as the largest brewery in Delaware, but as one of the most significant between Philadelphia and Baltimore. From 1938 until its closure in 1954, the brewery remained a symbol of craftsmanship, community, and pride. Its demolition in the early 1960s marked the end of an era, as progress paved over a powerful piece of Wilmington&rsquo;s cultural identity.&nbsp;&nbsp;Proceeds from the winning bid support the Friends of Delaware&rsquo;s Gambrinus Statue&#39;s Restore the King campaign to repair and return the historic Gambrinus sculpture to public view.

Diamond State Brewery painting, featuring King Gambrinus

Raise a glass to Delaware&rsquo;s craft brewing community&mdash;and to the legendary King of Beer himself&mdash;at Delaware&#39;s King Gambrinus Day, a spirited annual celebration of the First State&rsquo;s brewing culture. Hosted by the Delaware Historical Society in partnership with the Friends of Delaware&rsquo;s Gambrinus Statue and Wilmington Brew Works, this special evening brings together local history, craft beer, and community pride.&nbsp;Join us on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 6:00&ndash;8:00 PM in the Alamo Room at Wilmington Brew Works, Wilmington for this entertaining and tasty event.&nbsp;The evening begins with guest registration, relaxed mingling, a display of antique advertising items from Wilmington&#39;s old Diamond State Brewery, and a statewide toast to Delaware craft beverage makers at 6:30 PM. Then enjoy an engaging presentation exploring the legend of Gambrinus&mdash;the mythical patron king of beer&mdash;and his enduring connection to Delaware&rsquo;s brewing heritage, along with an update on the King Gambrinus statue restoration project. The event concludes with a final taproom toast.&nbsp;Ticket includes a logo tasting glass, two 9-ounce beer pours, light fare, and the presentation. A raffle for prizes will also be held.&nbsp;Proceeds from the event benefit Restore the King, the effort to return Delaware&#39;s historic King Gambrinus statue to public display.

Delaware's King Gambrinus Day Celebration

Step back in time and uncover Wilmington&rsquo;s rich brewing heritage on Buried Brew, a rare guided tour exploring more than 300 years of the city&rsquo;s beer history. This four-hour journey combines a comfortable coach ride with a two-mile walking tour, bringing you to more than a dozen historic locations tied to Wilmington&rsquo;s once-thriving brewing industry. Along the way, you&rsquo;ll hear fascinating stories of brewers, breweries, and the city&rsquo;s beer culture, guided by John Medkeff, historian and author of Brewing in Delaware...with an active brewery stop along the way! Not offered since 2013, Buried Brew is a truly unique opportunity for beer lovers and history enthusiasts alike. What&rsquo;s Included<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;" type="disc"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Guided coach and walking tour of Wilmington&rsquo;s historic beer sites.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Snacks and bottled water on board the coach.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Drink tickets good for two beverages at Wilmington Brew Works.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">A keepsake tour program.</li></ul>Event Details<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;" type="disc"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Duration: 4 hours.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Walking Portions: approx. 2 miles total (please wear comfortable footwear).</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Tickets:&nbsp;$80 (limited to 37 participants).</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Age Requirement: Must be 21+ to attend.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Proceeds Benefit: Restore the King campaign, dedicated to repairing and returning Delaware&rsquo;s iconic King Gambrinus statue to public display.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Rain or Shine: The event will run regardless of weather, with rescheduling only in the case of extreme weather conditions. In the event of rescheduling, ticket holders may opt for a ticket to the rescheduled date or refund.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Note: Ticket reselling is prohibited.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Buried Brew

Help Restore the King, Delaware&#39;s King of Beer. 👑 Your gift supports the careful restoration of Delaware&rsquo;s historic King Gambrinus statue and return it to a permanent public home. Every donation goes directly to restoring, installing, and preserving&nbsp;this historic sculpture.

Help Restore the King, Delaware's King of Beer. 👑Your gift supports the careful restoration of Delaware’s historic King Gambrinus statue and return it to a permanent public home.Every donation goes directly to restoring, installing, and preserving this historic sculpture.

Restore the King

Long before it was New Castle&mdash;and long before there was a Delaware&mdash;the town along the Delaware River was the Dutch settlement of New Amstel. And beer was an important part of everyday life. Join Delaware beer historian John Medkeff for a journey back to the 17th century as Buried Brew returns for an intimate walking tour through the streets of Old New Castle. Over the course of this guided one-mile walk, we&rsquo;ll visit places connected to New Amstel&rsquo;s forgotten beer and brewing history and uncover the stories of some of Delaware&rsquo;s earliest known brewers, tavern keepers, and others involved in the colonial beer trade. We&rsquo;ll explore the world surrounding Fort Casimir, discover where the town&rsquo;s brewers lived and worked, and learn why beer was far more than simply something to drink&mdash;it was woven into the culture, commerce, and everyday life of the Dutch colony. Along the way, we&rsquo;ll meet some of the colorful people who inhabited New Amstel and follow the town through the final years of Dutch rule and into the early English period. The places may look very different today, but the streets beneath our feet are where their stories actually happened. And no Buried Brew experience would be complete without raising a glass. Our walk will end at Jessop&rsquo;s Tavern, where we&rsquo;ll settle in for a guided tasting of beers inspired by the types brewed and consumed during the Dutch colonial era. The beers will be accompanied by period-inspired light fare, offering a taste of the world we&rsquo;ve just explored. Tour attendance is limited to fewer than 25 guests for a more personal and engaging experience. Best of all, your ticket helps preserve another piece of Delaware beer history. Proceeds benefit Restore the King, the campaign of the Friends of Delaware&rsquo;s Gambrinus Statue to restore Delaware&rsquo;s historic King Gambrinus statue and return it to public display. Unearth the past. Raise a glass. Restore the King. The walking portion of the experience is approximately one mile. Guests should wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Some sidewalks and walking surfaces in Old New Castle may be uneven. Street parking is available in the surrounding area.

Buried Brew 2026

You are bidding on an original, framed oil painting of the historic Diamond State Brewery by Wilmington, Delaware artist Jimmy Thompson, captured as it stood in 1945. The piece measures an impressive 29&quot; wide by 35&quot; high (with a depth of 1&frac14;&quot;) and is set within a beautifully proportioned 2&frac34;&quot; antique gold frame.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rendered in vivid color and striking detail, the painting brings the brewery to life once again: its red-brick fa&ccedil;ades rise beneath a dramatic blue sky, crowned by a tower flying the American flag. The familiar figure of Gambrinus&mdash;King of Beer&mdash;appears on the brewhouse, toasting the city just as he once did in days gone by. A period automobile and the sloping Fifth Street in the foreground root the scene firmly in mid-20th-century Wilmington.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Diamond State Brewery at Fifth and Adams streets was once a titan of the local brewing industry&mdash;rebuilt in 1882 under Joseph Stoeckle. At its peak, it stood not only as the largest brewery in Delaware, but as one of the most significant between Philadelphia and Baltimore. From 1938 until its closure in 1954, the brewery remained a symbol of craftsmanship, community, and pride. Its demolition in the early 1960s marked the end of an era, as progress paved over a powerful piece of Wilmington&rsquo;s cultural identity.&nbsp;&nbsp;Proceeds from the winning bid support the Friends of Delaware&rsquo;s Gambrinus Statue&#39;s Restore the King campaign to repair and return the historic Gambrinus sculpture to public view.

Friends Of Delaware's Gambrinus Statue, Inc.

Friends Of Delaware's Gambrinus Statue, Inc.

Friends Of Delaware's Gambrinus Statue, Inc.

Events

Events

Buried Brew 2026

Get your tickets

Diamond State Brewery painting, featuring King Gambrinus (copy)

View auction

More ways to support us

Restore the King

Donate today

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Friends Of Delaware's Gambrinus Statue, Inc.

Events

Events

Buried Brew 2026

Get your tickets

Diamond State Brewery painting, featuring King Gambrinus (copy)

View auction

More ways to support us

Restore the King

Donate today

Powered by

Friends Of Delaware's Gambrinus Statue, Inc.