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In 1897 Alvin M. Hemrich
(see
biography) purchased the plant and business of the
"North Pacific Brewery". The plant was better known as the old Slorah Brewery, located on Howard Ave. N. (now Yale Ave. N.), between Republican and Mercer
streets. The firm was then operated as the "Alvin Hemrich Brewing Co." After six
months Alvin was joined by his brother Louis, and Julius Damus, in the organization of the
"Hemrich Brothers Brewing Company", which was incorporated under the laws of the state on the 4th of February, 1899.
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~ click on images for larger view ~
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"Under the effective management
of these interested principals the business was built up to a most successful standpoint, the equipment of the plant being
of the most approved modern type. The products of the brewery, including lager and porter,
were reported to be of
exceptional quality by utilizing the best material in the process of manufacture, the malt being secured from Wisconsin
and California, and the hops being the most select products from Bohemia and from the state of
Washington." quote from
early Seattle history.
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 Ad from 1901 Seattle City Directory |
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 By 1903 the brewery's annual production was approximately thirty-five thousand barrels, and it employed about 75 workmen. With the improvements in brewing technology, and through major changes in the equipment of the plant, having installed the latest improved accessories, they greatly augmented their productive capacity. The plant was now larger than the older Bay View Brewery. The beer was delivered in wagons pulled by purebred draft horses, which were the pride of the organization. However, they remained exclusively a draught beer brewery, with bottling done by a nearby bottling works. See label (right). They produced a number of beers including "Seattle Pride", and an "Apollo Beer", but
their flagship brand was "Hemrich's Select", a premium
lager beer.
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With the onset of
state-wide prohibition in 1916, Hemrich Bros. began doing business as "Hemrich's
Staff Products Co." On January 1, they commenced the manufacture of a cereal beverage (near
beer) called "Lifestaff". The following March they added a sparkling apple juice
called "Applestaff", both with the slogan "It's Liquid Food". The operation was under the management of Paul F. Glaser, who was also secretary of the company. They continued with this product until the imposition of national Prohibition in 1920. The Company struggled on for three more years, and in 1923 the Lake Union plant was sold.
Hemrich's, Inc. In 1929 Alvin, in partnership with Isadore
Luxenberg, established "Hemrich's Inc." and resumed the production of a near-beer
called "Hemrich's Special" under Federal permit
Anticipating the repeal of
Prohibition "Hemrich's, Inc." remodeled an unused, frame brew-house on
property adjacent to the old Bay View plant on Airport Way. The new
brewery was called "Hemrich Brewing Co., Inc." It
was issued U-Permit No.1205, and on April 7th of 1933, it was the
brewery to offer the public legal beer in over 17 years.
The following year it
would become the "Apex Brewery". |
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"Hemrich Bros. Brewing Co. - Seattle" Pre-Prohibition glass. Go to: GLASSES |
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"Hemrich Bros. Brewing Co. - Select Beer" Pre-Prohibition tray. Go to: TRAYS |
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