Nineteenth century lager (and brewing) moguls were not backwards in coming forwards about their own role in the greatness of their beers. Whether by design or association, the pioneers of the new scientific brewing from the 1850s onwards were men who made an impact on their local communities and countries. And that has continued to be a theme in advertising and marketing ever since, although it has gone in and out of fashion over the years.
An interesting post on this phenomenon in Canada appeared in the Globe and Mail recently: How about a history lesson with that lager?