ca. 1937. Party at Alt Heidelberg plant. A group of men have just finished dinner and are enjoying a glass of beer. Poster on wall: "HERE in the completely equipped chemical laboratory is controlled the famous formula of Otto Birkmaier..." Otto Birkmaier was the brewmaster for many years at Columbia Breweries and was one of the most highly regarded brewers in the country. (T.Times)

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

ca. 1932. Northwest Brewing Company, makers of Marinoff Beer, circa 1932. Photograph ordered by Pete Marinoff. The building was constructed in 1910 for Morris & Co., wholesale meats. Northwest Brewing took over the building in 1931, adding to the original structure. Silver Springs Brewery purchased the structure in 1950 for their plant. It was torn down in 1986 to make room for the "Tacoma Spur" Freeway. (filed with Argentum)

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Northwest Brewing Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1932. Northwest Brewing Company, makers of Marinoff Beer, circa 1932. Photograph ordered by Pete Marinoff. The building was constructed in 1910 for Morris & Co., wholesale meats. Northwest Brewing took over the building in 1931, adding to the original structure. Silver Springs Brewery purchased the structure in 1950 for their plant. It was torn down in 1986 to make room for the "Tacoma Spur" Freeway. (filed with Argentum)

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Northwest Brewing Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1933. In April of 1933, the first production of 3.2% beer was allowed in the US after the repeal of prohibition. Full strength beer would not be legal until January of 1934. Columbia Brewing Co. used this slight variation on a preprohibition label to introduce their new product, Alt Heidelberg Pale Beer. The brewery's symbol of the female figure "Columbia" was replaced by the Student Prince, from the 1903 play "Alt Heidelberg," later reproduced as the operetta "Student Prince." The old style label was later replaced with less ornate one featuring the student prince alone. Photograph ordered by the North Pacific Bank Note Company. (filed with Argentum) (www.brewerygems.com)

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Beer--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Labels;

ca. 1935. Columbia Breweries started with seven staff members in the early 1900's. In 1939 J.F. Lanser was president of the company and Otto Birkmaler was brewmaster, producing Columbia Ale. Since prohibition ended in 1933, production of Columbia's Alt Heidelberg beer had been dramatically increased. This elevated view shows the back of Columbia Breweries' plant. The building on left is McNulty Storage and Transfer (listed in 1935 City Directory at 2106 South C Street); across the street on the right is a Richfield service station. A billboard in the center advertises "Camel" cigarettes. A hill and commercial buildings are seen in the background. (WSHS)

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

ca. 1940. Columbia Breweries, the manufacturers of Alt Heidelberg and Columbia Ale. Columbia was established in 1900 and had a 41 year record of nonstop continuous brewing. This elevated view shows the plant's facade, automobiles along the street and a delivery truck is backed up to door. A hill and residential buildings are seen in the background. (Argentum)

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

ca. 1940. Columbia Breweries, the manufacturers of Alt Heidelberg and Columbia Ale were getting ready to go through a massive expansion and modernization of their brewing facilities and offices. Columbia was established in 1900 and had a 41 year record of nonstop continuous brewing. During the dry period they produced "Columbia Brew", a near beer. This elevated view shows the plant's facade, automobiles along the street and a delivery truck is backed up to door. A hill and residential buildings are seen in the background. (WSHS)

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

ca. 1939. After the remodeling and rebuilding of Columbia Breweries, it would become the largest brewery north of San Francisco and west of Milwaukee. Their expansion would help the company fill the increasing demands for their Heidelberg beer and Columbia ale. View of Columbia Breweries Alt Heidelberg sign: "We are serving Alt Heidelberg. So good--and good for you." (WSHS)

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Beer--Tacoma; Advertisements--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

ca. 1939. After the remodeling and rebuilding of Columbia Breweries, it would become the largest brewery north of San Francisco and west of Milwaukee. Their expansion would help the company fill the increasing demands for their Heidelberg beer and Columbia ale. View of Columbia Breweries Alt Heidelberg sign: "We are serving Alt Heidelberg. So good--and good for you." (WSHS)

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Beer--Tacoma; Advertisements--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

ca. 1939. Columbia Breweries was about to begin a massive expansion project; this would enable them to increase production of their Heidelberg beer and Columbia Ale. Columbia advertised their products throughout Tacoma and the Pacific Northwest. View of three Alt Heidelberg signs: first is the same as 7A7-3; second, "In the family size steinie", a half gallon bottle; third, "In compact stubbies" bottle of beer. (WSHS)

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Beer--Tacoma; Advertisements--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

ca. 1939. Columbia Breweries introduced Columbia ale in 1939, the company vigorously advertised and promoted their new product, which was instantaneously accepted by the public. Columbia is proud of their two products and only uses the finest ingredients for their beer and ale production. View of Alt Heidelberg sign: "Whatever the Package" with three containers--a bottle of beer, a jumbo bottle of beer, and a can of guest beer. "So good--and good for you." (WSHS)

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Beer--Tacoma; Advertisements--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

Columbia Brewery truck with Indiana cab. Trailer being loaded with hops or grain from flue inside building. Man on top of truck bed loading grains. Ordered by Tom Jones Perry.

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Approximately 50 county auditors and treasurers from around the state met in Tacoma in June of 1938 for their third annual joint convention. One of the highlights of their visit to Tacoma was a trip to the Columbia Brewery where these two unidentified conventioneers were photographed enjoying a sample of the company's popular brew. Representatives of all the state's 39 counties were expected to attend the banquet held in the Crystal ballroom at the Hotel Winthrop with a total attendance, including wives, of over 100. (T. Times 6/16/1938, pg. 1) TPL-9935

Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Government officials--Tacoma--1930-1940; Beer; Eating & drinking; Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The June 1938 County Treasurers and Auditors Convention. Gathered outside of the Columbia Brewery, a large group of men toast the photographer with glasses of beer in this casual portrait of government officials. A man in the front row holds what appears to be a tray of money bills. The convention was held jointly by all counties in the state and was attended by representatives of all 39 of those counties. (T. Times 6/16/1938, pg.1)

Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Government officials--Tacoma--1930-1940; Beer; Eating & drinking; Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940;

County Treasurers and Auditors Convention. Posing outside the Columbia Brewery in bright daylight, government officials, with glasses of beer in hand, have their portrait taken with the entertainment, a woman dancer in a ruffled dress.

Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Government officials--Tacoma--1930-1940; Beer; Eating & drinking; Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Columbia Brewing Company, exterior view of plant showing truck by loading area and automobiles parked on street. West Coast Grocery Company warehouse at far right.

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

Columbia Brewing Company, exterior view of plant showing truck by loading area and automobiles parked on street.

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

Beer bottle labeling machine at Columbia Breweries. For Tom Jones of Perry Labeling Machines. (filed with Argentum)

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Machinery--Tacoma;

ca. 1942. In this advertising photo, a waitress or car hop carries a tray with a wax paper wrapped sandwich, a coffee cup and saucer, a clear glass carafe of milk and a can of Acme beer. The ads for Acme in July of 1942 advocated adding a refreshing, thirst quenching beer to your lunch. It, according to the ad, put an "edge" on your appetite and made good food taste better. It further said that being a "light beer," it caused no after lunch slow down when you returned to work. Acme, according to its ads, was brewed with Pacific Northwest hops and barley. It was made by Acme Brewing in San Francisco and distributed in Tacoma by Century Distributing Co., 2523 Jefferson Ave. TPL-10215

Beer;

ca. 1942. In this advertising photo, a white uniformed waitress carries a working man's lunch- a sandwich wrapped in waxed paper, a strong cup of coffee, a glass carafe of milk and a Sick's Select 6 beer, manufactured locally by Sick's Brewing Co.

Beer; Brewing industry--1940-1950;

Seventy five members of the brewing and allied industries gathered in Tacoma October 24, 1942 to pay tribute to Otto Birkmaier. Mr. Birkmaier was celebrating his 25th anniversary as brewmaster at Columbia Brewery, a position he had held since 1917. He held the longest record of continuous service of any brewmaster in the district. Some of the guests are pictured at the Saturday afternoon luncheon at the Brewery.

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Seventy five members of the brewing and allied industries gathered in Tacoma October 24, 1942 to pay tribute to Otto Birkmaier. Mr. Birkmaier was celebrating his 25th anniversary as brewmaster at Columbia Brewery, a position he had held since 1917. Some of the guests are pictured at the Saturday afternoon luncheon at the Brewery.

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Columbia Breweries was about to begin a massive expansion project, this would enable them to increase production of their Heidelberg beer and Columbia Ale. Columbia advertised "We are serving Alt Heidelberg. So good--and good for you." Aerial view of Columbia Breweries plant, prior to expansion project, located between Jefferson and C Streets.

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Aerial photographs; Business enterprises--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Heidelberg Brewery- Salesmen's wives boarding bus outside the Winthrop Hotel. Heidelberg often held sales meetings in Tacoma and entertainment was planned for the ladies. Here the wives are neatly attired in coats and some furs, as well as the requisite hat, and ready to board a bus for a sightseeing junket. The brewery was known as Columbia Breweries from 1900-1953; in July of 1953 the company changed its name to Heidelberg Brewing Co. Its most famous products were the beers "Alt Pilsener" and "Columbia Ale." Both labels stopped production with the breweries' closure in 1979. TPL-8479

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Heidelberg Brewing Co., Sales Meeting. The company originated as Columbia Brewing Co. in 1900, begun by three men with a capitalization of $50,000. It was purchased in 1949 by Heidelberg Brewery Co. and remodeled and rebuilt. The company officially changed its name on July 15, 1953 to Heidelberg Brewing Co. Its famous labels "Alt Pilsener" and "Columbia Ale" were consumed throughout the Northwest. The company sold in 1958 to Carling Brewing Co. of Canada. Its doors closed in Tacoma in 1979, after 3/4 of a century of quenching the thirst of the Northwest.

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Sales personnel--Tacoma; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960--People;

Consolidated Beverage trucks bearing the smiling student prince logo of Heidelberg Brewery. Drivers pose beside their gleaming white delivery trucks in what appears to be a largely residential area. Richards Studio appointment records indicate that this photograph was taken in Seattle.

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Representatives from Pendleton, Oregon, visited Heidelberg Brewery in April, 1954. The thirteen men and women pose in front of a Heidelberg doormat; it shows the familiar brewery symbol of a man quaffing a refreshing stein of beer. Heidelberg had purchased the brewery from Columbia Breweries a few years prior, although advertising until 1953 continued to emphasize the Columbia name. Carling Brewery eventually purchased Heidelberg in 1959; the plant was finally closed in 1979.

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

A long fleet of Ford and Chevrolet trucks stands ready to go outside the Columbia Breweries plant in May, 1953. They would be used to deliver very popular brands Columbia Ale and Heidelberg beer to waiting customers. Columbia Breweries, after much expansion, would be the largest brewery north of San Francisco and west of Milwaukee. In July, 1953, it would change its name to Heidelberg Brewing Co. and be purchased by Carling Brewery in 1959. After being a Tacoma fixture since 1900, it would finally close its doors in 1979. TPL-9289

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A long row of delivery trucks with accompanying drivers stands by the Columbia Breweries offices on May 25, 1953. Drivers were neatly dressed, some with ties and uniforms. Columbia Breweries, later to change its name to Heidelberg Brewing Co., was a long-time fixture in Tacoma. It was known for its Alt Heidelberg and Columbia Ale. The company finally closed its doors in 1979.

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Members of the staff of Heidelberg Brewing Co. and of Bona Fide Builders construction company inspect the scale model for the new 3/4 million dollar "Brew House" to be added to the brewing plant on So. C St. The construction of the four story storage cellar has been contracted with Bona Fide Builders Inc., a Tacoma construction company. The basic contract is for $350,000 for the construction of a reinforced concrete building to house the cellars. The building will cover an area 55 x 140 feet on So. C. The tank and refrigeration contracts bring the cost to $800,000. The glass lined tanks have a capacity of over 1,000 barrels each. The production of the new plant is estimated to be 750,000 barrels annually. Pictured, left to right, are Anders W. Erickson, Brewmaster, T.L. McCormick of the architectural designers, Michael M. Kneip, Assistant Brewmaster, Joseph Wohleb, Brewery architect, W. Boyd Dickson Jr., President of Bona Fide Builders, Hollis Kerr, Heidelberg construction superintendent, Nick Ockfen, Bona Fide superintendent of construction, L. Paul Marten, engineer for the brewing co., A.L. Waterbury, Chief Engineer of the brewing co. and Bailey H. Nieder, technical assistant and manager of engineering department of the brewing co. (TNT 7/16/1953, pg. C-13)

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bona Fide Builders Inc. (Tacoma); Erickson, Anders W.; Kneip, Michael M.; Wohleb, Joseph; Dickson, W. Boyd; Kerr, Hollis; Waterbury, A.L.; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960;