National Brewers

The string of consecutive championships finally ran out for the Tuborg Brewers in the 1978-79 season. Problems began before the season as there were stories that sponsor Carling National Breweries was in severe financial trouble. A November 14 letter from Roger Goss, the public relations manager for the brewery and an original Brewers player, confirmed that Carling National was unable to provide the hockey team with any sponsorship money. It was too late in the season to obtain another sponsor who would provide a financial donation and new team jerseys. As a result, the team played as the Tuborg Brewers during the entire season despite any brewery support.

Once again, the Brewers found themselves in a rebuilding year as many of the rookies from the past year departed. In addition, two longtime Brewer stars, Jim Bartlett, after 5 seasons and Steve Bachman after 6 seasons, retired. George Bachrach became a player / coach and also took over from Steve Bachman as manager. The CHL schedule was now set at 14 games, down from 16 and from 20 games in previous seasons. The CHL stayed at 5 teams as a new team representing Northwest Ice Rink replaced Benfield. The Brewers' team practices remained at Northwest on Thursday night from 8:30 to 10 PM. Player dues were set at $200 and that would require some fund raising to keep the fee that low. During several of the Brewers games, the now retired Jim Bartlett served as a linesman.

It was a very tough season as the rival Orchard Mercurys, Baltimore Blazers and Columbia Flyers all iced better teams than the Brewers. In league games, the club beat Northwest every game played, but the only other CHL victory was a 5-3 November win over the Flyers. At the end of the regular season, the Brewers had finished 4th of 5 teams with a record of 5-9-0. Brewers' scoring was led by player / coach / manager George Bachrach, followed by Biff Evans and Steve Thalheimer. Ron Olenick played all 14 games in the net and allowed 75 goals. New players included: Bill Barrett, Ed Gorcenski, Dave Bright and Tom McNamara, Jr. In non league games, the team achieved a 3-1-1 record against Navy, Georgetown University and Wissahickon. In the final regular season game, the Tuborg Brewers absorbed a 13-1 loss to the Orchard Mercurys. This was the worst loss in the Brewers' history. The overall club record for 20 games was 8-11-1. The Brewers were in need of yet another rebuilding job, as the club was now not competitive in the CHL.

In the CHL playoffs, the Brewers lost to the Blazers in a tough semi final contest, by a close 5-3 score. Randy Mattingly and player / coach George Bachrach each produced a goal and an assist, but it was not enough. This marked the first time in the past 6 seasons that the club would not finish as the league champions or even appear in the Guertler Cup final game. It was also to be the last game for the Brewers in the Chesapeake Hockey League of Baltimore.