Nosel Pupko A tradesman, founder of the Lida brewery Date of Birth: 01.01.1825 Country: Belarus

1. The Founder of Lida Brewery: Nosel Pupok
2. Family and Legacy
3. Establishment of the Brewery
4. Expansion and Recognition
5. Tackling Obstacles
6. Development of a Trademark
7. Modernization and Collaboration
8. Navigating World Events
9. Wartime and Post-War Era
10. Legacy and Remembrance

The Founder of Lida Brewery: Nosel Pupok

Nosel Pupok, born into a humble family, made a name for himself as the founder of the Lida Brewery. His name derives from the Yiddish word "pupke," meaning "doll," and was a common surname in the Jewish community of Lida.

Family and Legacy

Nosel and his wife had four sons: Isaac, Hirsh, Abram, and Meilah. After his passing in 1900, the brewery's management was passed down to the sons, who established the "Trading House 'Heirs of Nosel Pupok.'" In 1934, Meilah's sons, Mark and Shimon, took over the family business after their father's demise.

Establishment of the Brewery

In 1873, Nosel acquired land and obtained permission to construct a brewery in Lida. The initial facility consisted of three wooden structures, with production commencing in 1876. The brewery's first advertisement appeared in the local newspaper in 1877.

Expansion and Recognition

Under Nosel's leadership, the brewery expanded and modernized. By 1887, it produced 10,000 buckets of beer annually. The brewery gained recognition at the international level in 1903, winning a medal at the Reims Exposition.

Tackling Obstacles

Despite his success, Nosel faced challenges from local authorities and competing breweries. However, he persevered, upgrading his facilities and introducing new products to meet market demand. His rivalry with the "Chopin" brewery became legendary in Lida.

Development of a Trademark

In 1900, Nosel developed the brewery's iconic trademark featuring a majestic deer standing on a beer barrel. The origin of this logo remains shrouded in speculation, with theories ranging from symbolizing the Grodno coat of arms to representing the royal patronage the brewery enjoyed.

Modernization and Collaboration

Under Meilah's leadership, the brewery continued to grow. He installed a steam engine and a telephone line, connecting it to the brewery of his competitor, Yankel Papiermeister. In 1907, the two businesses formed the "Bavaria" syndicate to compete with Lithuanian breweries.

Navigating World Events

The brewery faced challenges during World War I and the Prohibition era. Meilah adapted by introducing a non-alcoholic beer and adding a mill and sawmill to his operations. In 1934, Mark and Shimon took the reins and modernized the brewery further, introducing electricity and expanding the product line.

Wartime and Post-War Era

With the onset of Soviet rule, the Pupok brothers were forced to work as employees in their own brewery. During the German occupation, they were granted permission to continue working but were later deported to the Lida ghetto in 1943. They miraculously escaped and fled Soviet territory after the war.

Legacy and Remembrance

Nosel Pupok's tireless efforts and innovations laid the foundation for Lida Brewery's success. The original iron staircase installed in 1902 is still preserved. To honor his legacy, the company has launched a project to uncover more about the Pupok family's history, accessible through the official Instagram account of Nosel Zelikovich Pupok.