Diehl Food Ingredients has enjoyed a colorful history since it’s founding in 1870 by Christian Diehl, a young   brewmeister from Germany.  From our inception as a brewery to our current status as a leader in spray dried powdered food ingredients, we have kept the company tradition of adaptability and innovation to lead us into the next generation.

The brewery was incorporated in 1902, with Christian Diehl as President; Albert Diehl, Vice President; Christian Diehl, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer, and John C. Diehl, Superintendent. The brewery grew to produce over 30,000 barrels of lager beer annually.

In 1922, the Christian Diehl Brewing Company ended with Prohibition and reorganized as the Defiance Dairy Products Company.  The brewery was converted into a milk condensing plant and the company also produced near beer and soft drinks.  

Prohibition was repealed in 1933 and the company resumed beer production while maintaining the dairy operation.

In the 1940’s, the company started operations in dry milk.

In 1950, Diehl introduced a new brand of beer called “five Star” to honor General Eisenhower. 

The Diehl Brewing Company ceased brewing in 1955 and focused on the prospering dairy products division. 

In the early 1960’s, non-dairy products were first dried.

Diehl, Inc. acquired the retail beverage business, including the Vitamite brand, from Dairy Specialties International of St. Louis, MO in 1982. 

Diehl was acquired by Performance Chemicals and Ingredients, Inc. in May of 2006.  The name was changed to Diehl Food Ingredients, Inc. to better reflect its business of supplying specialty food ingredients.  In keeping with the tradition of market adaptability and innovation, Diehl Food Ingredients continues to build a diversified special ingredient business.  

                                              What a Diehl by Carl H. Miller

                                          Christian Diehl Brewing by Bill Carlisle