In the heart of Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, a routine facade renovation at Rhinegeist Brewery turned into an extraordinary archaeological find in late 2025. What began as peeling paint revealed a breathtaking, century-old encaustic tile mosaic—hidden for over 100 years beneath layers of paint applied during Prohibition. This vibrant artwork, dating to 1896, celebrates the city’s legendary brewing heritage and has quickly become a new landmark for locals and visitors alike.
The Unexpected Discovery
Rhinegeist, housed in the former Christian Moerlein Brewing Company’s bottling plant on Elm Street since 2013, was undergoing much-needed repairs and tuckpointing by Buckeye Construction & Restoration. As workers prepped the exterior walls, superintendent Vince Vickers noticed unusual colors emerging from beneath the flaking paint.
“We started pulling off more of the paint, and little by little, the century-old mural began to show itself—hidden in plain sight for decades,” Vickers recounted.
What emerged was a massive, exceptionally well-preserved mosaic composed of approximately 2,000 unique six-inch encaustic tiles. The artwork had been deliberately covered during the Prohibition era (1920–1933), when non-brewing businesses occupied the space and sought to erase any traces of its alcoholic past.
A Masterpiece by Herman Mueller
Research quickly attributed the mosaic to Herman C. Mueller, a pioneering American ceramicist who co-founded the Mosaic Tile Company in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1894. Mueller, known for his innovative dust-pressed tiles and handcrafted designs, later established the Mueller Mosaic Company in Trenton, New Jersey. His works grace prestigious collections at institutions like the Smithsonian, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Brooklyn Museum—making this brewery exterior a rare public showcase of his talent.
The mural features a festive scene: a jovial couple in traditional German attire raising beer steins amid hop vines and barley motifs, symbolizing Cincinnati’s 19th-century German immigrant brewing culture. A flowing banner proudly declares “Moerlein’s Bottling Dept. 1896”, with the year flanked by stars and decorative flourishes. Below the main panel, restored roundels display the original Christian Moerlein logo.
One charming detail has captured hearts: a single tile forming the corner of the man’s hat was installed rotated 90 degrees—the “wrong” way—from the very beginning. This imperfection, preserved perfectly under the paint, adds a human touch to the otherwise flawless craftsmanship.
Rhinegeist’s Joyful Response
Rhinegeist CEO Adam Bankovich called the find a “complete surprise,” despite the brewery’s deep awareness of the building’s history. To honor the discovery—and that quirky misplaced tile—the team released a limited-edition pre-Prohibition-style lager named Tip of the Hat. Available on draft in the taproom, it’s a crisp, malty tribute poured alongside views of the restored mural.
The brewery has fully preserved the mosaic as part of the ongoing renovations, ensuring it remains visible to the public without altering their plans.
Echoes of Cincinnati’s Brewing Golden Age
At its peak in the late 1800s, Cincinnati was known as the “Beer Capital of the World,” with Over-the-Rhine boasting dozens of breweries driven by German immigrants. Christian Moerlein was among the most prominent, and this building served as its bottling department.
Discoveries like this underscore the neighborhood’s ongoing revival and the importance of historic preservation. As Beth Johnson, executive director of Cincinnati Preservation, noted, it’s one of the largest examples of Mueller’s tile work in the city.
If you’re in the Cincinnati area, swing by Rhinegeist on Elm Street to see this piece of living history. Grab a pint, tip your hat to the past, and marvel at how a simple renovation peeled back time itself. Prost!
More about Rhinegeist Brewery
Nestled in Cincinnati’s vibrant Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, Rhinegeist Brewery (that’s “Ghost of the Rhine” for the non-German speakers) rose from the ashes of a pre-Prohibition bottling plant once owned by the legendary Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. Founders Bob Bonder and Bryant Goulding teamed up in 2013 to resurrect the city’s historic brewing spirit, turning a cavernous, century-old space into a massive taproom that’s equal parts industrial cool and community hangout. What started with a handful of beers on opening day has exploded into one of Ohio’s craft beer powerhouses, cranking out flavorful brews that keep locals and visitors coming back for more—proving the Queen City still knows how to throw a great party in its old brewery bones.
When it comes to the good stuff, Rhinegeist’s lineup is a hop-head’s dream with something for everyone. Their flagship Truth IPA is the undisputed king—bold, juicy, piney, and stone-fruit forward, it’s been Ohio’s best-selling IPA for years and the kind of beer that turns “just one more” into a whole session. For lighter vibes, grab Franz (a crisp Märzen) or Dad (a balanced pale ale perfect for backyard hangs). At the same time, adventurous sippers love hazy options like Juicy Truth, fruited sours, or big hitters like Sabre Tooth Tiger imperial IPA. Whether you’re chasing that first-sip buzz or just want to Google “best Cincinnati brewery” and end up here, Rhinegeist keeps the good times flowing with beers that sing with flavor and zero pretension. Cheers to the ghosts that keep on brewing!
Address: 1910 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Website: https://rhinegeist.com/