About Calvin’s 1836 Root Beer
Brewed with the Memories of Our Home Towns German Heritage
Third-Generation
Calvin’s Distributing is a third-generation family owned-business located in Hermann, Missouri. In 1957 Marvin “Smilie” Scheidegger began the Distributorship with solely the Stag Beer brands. Calvin began working for his father in 1967 and became a partner in 1973. In 1978 Calvin and his wife Caroll Scheidegger purchased the business and continue operations as Calvin’s Distributing with two of their four children today.
Over the past 67 years of operation they have expanded their portfolio in wholesaling beverages and products from primarily the Keurig Dr.Pepper Snapple Group as well as Pinckney Bend Distillery, Hermannhof Wines, White Mule Wines, Tin Mill Micro Brews, Hermann Wurst Haus Sausage Company, Excel Bottling Sodas and Beers and until 2010 a Miller Brewing Company and Stag Beer wholesaler.
Calvin was always a dedicated businessman as well as a strong community leader. He spent time volunteering through the years with many civic organizations to make Hermann a better place to live and visit. The love for his hometown and a lifelong dream of brewing his own root beer finally came together at the right time in his life to make his dream a reality. So in 2011 with the help from a local winemaker, Tom Kalb and Calvin came up with the ingredients of the great tasting, old fashioned barrel style root beer that Calvin remembers enjoying as a child. In the beginning it was only produced in kegs or draft root beer. As the brand continued to grow we expanded packaging adding glass bottles in 2012 and cans in 2023.
Hometown Roots
Calvin and family want to thank you for your overwhelming support of their root beer. Named after their hometown Hermann, Missouri established in 1836.
About Hermann, Missouri
On the 27th day of August 1836, the “German Settlement Society of Philadelphia,” organized to establish a colony which they later named Hermann. The society had goals of being the “Heart of German-America” nestled along the Missouri River where it would succeed traditional German culture and establish a self supporting colony built around farming, commerce, and industry. The promoters believed that in partial isolation, they could enjoy both the advantages of America and the pleasure , language habits, customs, culture and way of the Fatherland, without losing their Germanic identity.
Today the City of Hermann is a picturesque German Community offering Old-World hospitality and the quiet charms of an earlier time. “Best of Rural Missouri Magazine” readers selected Hermann as the “Most Beautiful Town in Missouri. Over 150 historic buildings, quaint inns and bed & breakfasts, world class wineries, museums and spectacular views. Hermann is a great get a way close to home that celebrates many festival throughout the year.