Undated pre-Prohibition photograph of two unidentified men posing next to what may have been Tacoma's first beer truck. The large vehicle held three layers of Pacific beer cases in its open bed. Pacific Brewing & Malting, manufacturers of Pacific and Tacoma beer brands, was the second largest brewing company in Washington by 1909. It occupied thirteen big buildings on South 25th St., between "C" and Jefferson, and was busy producing 200,000 barrels of beer per year. The advent of Prohibition caused the concern to shut down in 1916. (Meier: Brewed in the Pacific Northwest, p. 114-article) (Photograph courtesy of the William Cammarano Collection) TPL-10425

Trucks--Tacoma; Beer--Tacoma; Brewing industry--Tacoma; Pacific Brewing & Malting Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1907. This was the Pacific Brewing & Malting Co. Sample Room known as the "Potomac House" circa 1907. In May of 1907 the familiar East Side three-story building was moved from its original corner site of 302-04 E. 25th St. to 2511 E. "C" St. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul yards took its place. A large sign is hanging from the right advertising "Rose Valley Whisky" and the Potomac Sample Room. In front of the building are thirteen men, including one long-aproned bartender, with most hoisting mugs of beer. (Photograph courtesy of the William Cammarano Collection) TPL-10426

Beer--Tacoma; Brewing industry--Tacoma--1900-1910; Pacific Brewing & Malting Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

ca. 1910. Back in the early days of the 20th century, there were not many automobiles in Tacoma and even fewer delivery vans. Bottled beer was transported in cases via a tried-and-true method--by horse and wagon. Here two patient horses pause while their driver has his photograph taken. He has removed his sturdy work coat which is laid on the covered seat. There are several cases of beer in the open wagon bed. The beer had been brewed by the Pacific Brewing & Malting Co., then one of Washington's largest breweries and located in downtown Tacoma on South 25th St., between "C" and Jefferson. State prohibition laws went into effect in January of 1916, effectively halting the thriving business. (Photograph courtesy of the William Cammarano Collection) TPL-10424

Beer--Tacoma; Brewing industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Pacific Brewing & Malting Co. (Tacoma); Carts & wagons--Tacoma--1910-1920; Horses--Tacoma--1910-1920;