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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.

Friends Of Delaware's Gambrinus Statue, Inc.

Friends Of Delaware's Gambrinus Statue, Inc.

Past events

Past events

Diamond State Brewery painting, featuring King Gambrinus

Delaware's King Gambrinus Day Celebration

Buried Brew

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