A bottle of Löwenbräu beer, recovered from the 1937 Hindenburg airship disaster, was auctioned for over $16,000, making it the most expensive beer bottle ever sold, according to ABC News. Found among the wreckage in Lakehurst, New Jersey, the heavily damaged bottle retained about 80% of its contents, though auctioneer Andrew Aldridge noted it would be undrinkable due to its condition.
On May 6, 1937, Fire Chief Leroy Smith discovered six intact Löwenbräu bottles and a pitcher at the crash site. To retrieve them later, he hid the items, as authorities had restricted access to the area. Smith kept one bottle and shared the others with colleagues, though most are now unaccounted for. One was later donated to the Löwenbräu company after a colleague’s passing. This rare artifact remains a prized piece for Hindenburg memorabilia collectors.
About the Hindenburg:
The Hindenburg was a German airship, renowned for its luxury and technological marvel, that operated as a transatlantic passenger transport in the 1930s. Measuring over 800 feet long, it was one of the largest airships ever built, powered by hydrogen gas and capable of carrying dozens of passengers in opulent cabins. On May 6, 1937, while attempting to land in Lakehurst, New Jersey, the Hindenburg caught fire and was destroyed in a catastrophic explosion, killing 36 people and marking a tragic end to the airship era. The disaster, widely covered by media, remains a significant historical event, with artifacts like a recovered Löwenbräu bottle later becoming valuable collectibles.
Fun Beer Facts, Breweries and More: Click Here