Illustrated History of the Everett Brewing Co. of Everett, WA

The first brewery in Everett area predated the Washington and Everett Brewery by about 25 years. In the 1870s a small brewery was erected for the production of Steam Beer. It was called the Eagle Brewery and lasted but a few years. It was located at Elliott Point, what is now Mukilteo, about five miles from what would become Everett in 1890.

It wasn't until about 1899 that plans were laid to erect a large brewery in Everett - and in 1900 it was supplying beer to the new community.

Washington Brewing Company
(1900-1904)

In October of 1899, Tacoma's Pacific Brewing & Malting Co. purchased property in the city of Everett for a proposed branch brewery there. However another group had beat them to it. By the Spring of 1900, the Washington Brewing Co. was in production with Anton Aabling as the plant's first manager. He was later replaced by Louis Sleidle.

Washington Brewing Company, c.1900 - image
Washington Brewing Co., c.1900

As is the case with any large enterprise, a number of investors are required to raise the requisite capital. In the case of this venture, the major stockholder appears to have been the Northern Brewing Co. of Vancouver, WA. Washington Brewery's first president and manager was Adam Mueller, who was also president & mgr. of Northern Brewing Company's, Star Brewery.

On 15 March, 1901, a trade publication reported:

"The Washington Brewery, of which A. Mueller, manager and Mr. Weigand, brewer has just put in new boilers and is rushing to completion a brick and wood addition of 56x46, also a new ice plant of 35 tons per day capacity. These improvements will cost in the neighborhood of $17,000 and bring the capacity of the plant up to 12,000 bbls."

Apparently, the Northern Brg. Co. sold its interest in the venture. By 1902 the Columbia Brewing Co. of Tacoma had its people managing the brewery. In the 1901-02 Everett City Directory, William C. Kiltz is named the proprietor and manager of the Washington Brewery. At this time he was also serving as secretary/treasurer of the Columbia Brewery. Kiltz was in fact an agent of Tacoma's Pacific Brewing & Malting, which had an interest in the Columbia Brewery as well.

Washington Brewing Co. beer glass, c.1903 - image
etched beer glass, c.1903

Wash. Brg. Co. ad for Pure Malt Beer 1903 - image
ad from 1903 Everett City Directory

However, the Washington Brewing Company was to have a relatively short run. In late 1904. Another group of Tacoma investors, backed by Pacific Brg. & Mltg., made a deal to purchase the company and operate the plant until their new, larger brewery was constructed.

Everett Brewing Company

In October of 1904, Pacific Brewing & Malting went forward with their plans for the new brewery, but chose to remain in the background. They selected one of their salesman, Bernhard Hochstadter, to act as their agent and front the establishment of the enterprise. Consequently, their previous agent, William Kiltz, was replaced as manager of the brewery.

Apparently the PB&MCo had another task for Klitz. By 1905 he is president of the Mt. Hood Brewery in Portland. See business card
(at right).

On Oct. 22, a trade publication reported:

"Everett brewing Co., Everett, Wash. Capital stock $100,000. Incorporators, Bernard Hockstader (sic), of Tacoma; J.E. Horan and J.D. Eveland, of Everett. Capacity 35,000 barrels. The plans for the building have all been completed and the work will start immediately.

In the meantime Mr. Hockstader (sic) has purchased the plant of the Washington Brewing Company from William Kilz (sic) and will operate it until the new brewery is ready to put its product on the market, which will be about ten months."

The brewery equipment included an ice making and refrigerating plant, as well as, a complete bottling works.

Everett Beer was a popular brand and had an enthusiastic local following. On 30 June, 1906, the Everett Herald published the following:

"Everett's future as a manufacturing center is established beyond a doubt, for with the combined assistance of capital and brains we have in operation and in contemplation some of the largest and most complete plants in the Northwest.
Prominent among these is the Everett Brewery, our most recent acquisition, which as completed stands proudly as a monument to the man whose courage and confidence in Everett's future inspired the erection of this modern plant at a cost of over $100,000. This plant is strictly up-to-date. There is nothing newer, better or more substantial known to the brewing industry. The capacity exceeds over 30,000 barrels yearly of a product that received the unanimous approval of our public and the residents of our surrounding section.
The beer made by the Everett Brewing company is strictly and chemically pure. It could not be otherwise; its cleanliness is assured by successive filtering appliances, the use of steam for sweetening kegs after washing and the entire elimination of hand work from the process. Hops and malt (grown in Washington) are the chief constituents which guarantee a wholesome, delightful beverage.
Mr. Bernhard Hochstadter, the company's executive and manager, is a skillful brewer of the modern type. While a famous German formula is used in manufacturing his product, Mr. Hochstadter has adopted the approved methods that have won fame for him and his output."

The September 12, 1909, Tacoma's Daily Ledger reported:

"The Pacific Brewing and Malting Company of Tacoma has taken over the Everett Brewing Company for the sum of $200,000.

The deal was completed Saturday and the new owners take possession Sept. 20. Capacity of the local brewery is 30,000 barrels yearly, with trade in Alaska and South America."

From the following, it appears that Pacific Brewing & Malting (PB&M) was a major stockholder, but not the sole owners. Albert Burke was in the management position, placed there by the other cadre of investors. PB&M exerted control while remaining in the background, just as their main competitor, Seattle Brewing & Malting was doing with virtually all of the Seattle breweries. But after a few years they chose to buy out their partners and assume full ownership.

The June, 1913 issue of American Brewer reported:

"On 1 May, the Pacific Brewing & Malting Company assumed management of the Everett Brewing Company's plant at Everett, Wash., having bought out the controlling interest of Albert Burke and Eastern stockholders. Edward H. Hatch is the new manager."

However, their brewery would soon become a liability. In November of the following year voters approved state-wide prohibition. The law was to take effect 1 January, 1915. However, the breweries were given a year to sell their inventory and shut their plants. Some chose to keep their plants running with the manufacture of "near-beer" and/or soft drinks.

Pacific Brewing & Malting chose to follow Seattle Brewing & Malting's lead and open a brewery in San Francisco - in the common belief that voters would never opt for national Prohibition. With the move to California a priority, the company chose to close the Everett plant rather than to undertake a new venture.

A trade publication reported in their November, 1914 edition that the Everett plant was to be leased to a wholesale grocery house.

History of the Everett Brewing Company (1904-1915)
and its predecessor
The Washington Brewing Co. (1900-1904)

Washington Brewing Company
(1900-1904)

Everett Brewing Company

Everett Breweriana

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

History of the Everett Brewing Company (1904-1915)and its predecessorThe Washington Brewing Co. (1900-1904)

Washington Brewing Company(1900-1904)

Everett Brewing Company

Everett Breweriana

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

History of the Everett Brewing Company (1904-1915)
and its predecessor
The Washington Brewing Co. (1900-1904)

Washington Brewing Company
(1900-1904)