ca. 1900. Columbia Breweries remained proud of their beginnings in 1900 when Emil Kliese, William Kiltz and John Smith incorporated the Columbia Brewing Company. This photograph of the entire staff of the brewery in 1900 was used in several newspaper stories during the 1940's and 1950's when the company announced new additions to the brewery. Seated in the front are, L-R, William Kiltz, sales manager, and Emile Kliese, president and brew master. The five men in the back are not identified. Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company in December 1954. TPL-9625

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1900-1910; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma); Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--People; Kiltz, William; Kliese, Emile;

ca. 1908. Emile Kliese, in a dark beard, and another man stand in the offices of Columbia Brewing Company by their tall desks. Emile Kliese was the German-born brewmaster who, with two other men, William C. Kiltz and John Smith, filled for articles of incorporation in 1900 "to brew and sell at wholesale and retail beer and other malt beverages" at a company to be known as "the Columbia Brewing Company". Emile Kliese was the first president and brewmaster of the Columbia Brewing Company from 1900 to 1916. Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company. (TNT, 10/6/1951, p.A-3)

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1900-1910; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma); Kliese, Emile; Offices--Tacoma--1900-1910; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--People;

ca. 1912. The name painted on the side of the brewery is the Columbia Brewing Company. The building was built in 1900 when the brewery was established. Like most early breweries this building was tall and took advantage of gravity in moving materials through the brewing process. Grain storage and milling was often located high in a brewery on the 3rd or 4th floor. The copper brew kettle was commonly located beneath the mash tun at ground level. Copies of old prints ordered by Columbia Breweries in 1951. (Brewed in the Pacific Northwest, Gary and Gloria Meier)

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1916. A combination of delivery trucks and horse drawn wagons are shown here with 25 of the brewery's employees. The truck on the right advertises Alt Heidelberg. The man standing by the opening to that truck with the dark beard is Emile Kliese, president, owner and brewmaster of the brewery from its founding in 1900 until 1916. The two wagons have canopies over the drivers seats. Both wagons are loaded with barrels. Copies of old prints ordered by Columbia Breweries in 1951. Format 2" x 9 1/2"

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma); Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--People; Kliese, Emile;

The name Columbia Brewing Company is seen on the side of the building. A fence has been added along the sidewalk on the right. The building is at least five stories high and has a flat roof. A small pediment adorns the cornice. The name of the brewery was changed in 1933 to Columbia Breweries, Inc., when it was purchased by Elmer Hemrich. Copies of old prints ordered by Columbia Breweries in 1951.

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1918. Columbia Brewing Company was established in 1900 on South C Street not far from the giant Pacific Brewing and Malting Company. Emil Kliese was the owner, president and brewmaster of the plant until statewide prohibition in 1916. He died the next year. National Prohibition lasted 13 years, from 1920-1933. During that time the company manufactured soft drinks: "Birch Beer", "Chocolate Soldier", "Blue Jay" (a grape drink), and "Green River". Copies of old prints ordered by Columbia Breweries in 1951. (Brewed in the Pacific Northwest, Gary Meier)

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1918. Drivers pose in front of the Columbia Brewing Company with five delivery trucks. The truck second from the right is loaded with barrels. Copies of old prints ordered by Columbia Breweries. A copy of Boland print #B1495.

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1910-1920;

ca. 1919. Much of the work bottling beer at Columbia Brewing Company was done by hand. Bottles were soaked, rinsed, filled, capped, and made ready for shipment. Bottles began to be used for beer in the 1890's using green glass. Brown glass didn't become popular until after prohibition, after 1933. Half gallon sizes were popular at this time. A sign against the wall on the left advertises "Columbia Golden Drops Beer." (Copies of old prints ordered by Columbia Breweries in 1951)

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma); Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--People; Bottles; Signs (Notices);

ca. 1919. The wooden-tanked and crudely refrigerated cellar was the one and only storage cellar of the early day Columbia Brewing Company. In those days the brewery had scarcely more than a few hundred barrels of beer in production. Frost has condensed on the pipes leading around the top of this cellar. Gustav Schuster, manager of Columbia Brewing Company from September 17, 1917, to October 31, 1929, is standing on the left with a hat and moustache. Copies of old prints ordered by Columbia Breweries in 1951. (TNT, 1/7/1952) Format 6 1/4" x 7 1/2" TPL-7952

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma); Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--People; Schuster, Gustav;

ca. 1919. Much of the work handling beer at Columbia Brewing Company was done by hand. Men are seen working in a chilled room bottling and racking beer into wooden barrels. A sign against the wall on the left advertises "Columbia Golden Drops Beer". Copies of old prints ordered by Columbia Breweries in 1951. TPL-7953

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma); Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--People; Bottles;

ca. 1923. Two men are seen in the racking room at Columbia Brewing Company filling wooden barrels with beer. The man on the left is checking the brew for clarity before he cheks it for taste.Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company in December 1954. TLP-7957

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma); Barrels--Tacoma;

ca. 1923. Facing north along South C Street Columbia Brewing Company is on the left and West Coast Grocery Company further on the west side. Across the street are the storehouses of the Tacoma Junk Company, of frame construction, and the warehouse of Hunt & Motet, hardware, of concrete construction. A sign at the top of Columbia Brewing Company suggests that you "Drink Blue Bird". During prohibition which started with Washington State prohibition in 1916 and National prohibition which lasted from 1920 through 1933 Columbia manufactured soft drinks including "Birch Beer", "Chocolate Soldier", "Blue Jay", and "Green River". Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company in December 1954.

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1932. Columbia Brewing Company is using one of their wagons in a parade, perhaps for the 4th of July or Memorial Day. The two teams of horses have been draped with bunting and the wagon has been decorated with flags. A young woman stands on the wagon wearing a long white dress. Two men wearing mustaches and dress hats are driving the horses. Copies of old prints ordered by Columbia Breweries in 1951. Format 4" x 9 1/2"

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma); Carts & wagons--Tacoma--1930-1940; Horse teams--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1935. Columbia Brewing Company was purchased by Elmer Hemrich in 1933 and the name was changed to Columbia Breweries, Inc. The automobiles in this photograph are from the 1920's and 1930's which provide an estimated date of 1935. The brewery has been added onto with another structure along the right side about halfway back and a one story addition at the top. In 1936 Columbia began construction of a $120,000 bottling shop, a portion of which was devoted to canned beer. Columbia was the first of the Northwest brewers to introduce canned beer in this territory. This shop completed the third unit of their building program, the first two being the brew house and cellars. Copies of old prints ordered by Columbia Breweries in 1951. (Ledger, 3/30/1936)

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

ca. 1935. A view of the rear of Columbia Breweries' facilities from along Jefferson Avenue. In 1936 Columbia began construction of a $120,000 bottling shop. This shop would complete the third unit of their building program - the first two being the brew house and cellars. The back of McNulty Storage & Transfer and Vicray's Garage can also be seen. Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company. The photographer's name in the lower right shows, "Associated Photographic Service, 714 Market Street, Tacoma".

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

ca. 1936. A view of Columbia Breweries along South C Street circa 1936. The front of the tallest section has been removed for remodeling. A truck is seen backed up to the loading dock with Alt Heidelberg painted on the sides. A large, white building up the hill, along South 23rd Street at 2302 Fawcett Avenue, has a sign, "Columbia Bottling Company." Columbia Bottling Company was at this address in 1935 and 1936 only. West Coast Grocery Company, Coffee - Spices - Extracts, is next door to Columbia Breweries at 2114 South C Street and Vicray's Garage is on the right at 2112 South C Street. Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company in December 1954. TPL-6498

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

ca. 1937. A view of Columbia Breweries along South C Street from 23rd Street South. The main brewery building looks quite different from earlier photographs. It has been widened and the clapboards either removed or covered. A street sign for 23rd Street South is seen attached to the utility pole in the near right corner. Harrison Brothers office can be seen at 2140 South C Street. Many automobiles from the time are parked along the street. Copies of old prints ordered by Columbia Breweries in 1951. The photographer's name in the lower right shows, "Associated Photographic Service, 714 Market Street, Tacoma".

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

Party at Alt Heidelberg plant. Men gathered around one of the large beer vats. (T. Times).

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

ca. 1937. One of the chemists at Columbia Breweries is placing test tubes of samples in an autoclave to continue testing the beers and ales brewed at Columbia Breweries. Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company in December 1954. The photographer's name in the lower right shows, "Associated Photographic Service, Inc., Tacoma".

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Chemistry--Tacoma; Scientists--Tacoma; Scientific equipment--Tacoma;

ca. 1937. One of the chemists at Columbia Breweries is examining a sample under a microscope. Other glass slides with labled samples are seen lying on a towel next to the paper the chemist is using to take notes. Beakers with larger samples are seen on the counter with cotton stuffing in their necks. Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company in December 1954. The photographer's name in the lower right shows, "Associated Photographic Service, Commercial Photographers, 714 Market Street, Tacoma".

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

ca. 1937. Two of the chemists at Columbia Breweries are testing products in a laboratory, heating liquids with a row of bunsen burners. Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company in December 1954. The photographer's name in the lower right shows, "Associated Photographic Service, Inc., Tacoma".

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Chemistry--Tacoma; Scientists--Tacoma; Scientific equipment--Tacoma; Laboratories--Tacoma; Testing--Tacoma;

ca. 1937. Instruments have been set up for an experiment at Columbia Breweries' laboratory. A meter has been connected to a battery to test one of the components of the beer and ale brewed at Columbia. Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company. The photographer's name in the lower right shows, "Associated Photographic Service, Inc., Tacoma".

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

ca. 1937. One of the chemists at Columbia Breweries is using an analylitic balance for very precise measurements of ingredients in this circa 1937 photograph. She is gripping tweezers to place weights from the box in front of her to the tray on the right hand side of the balance. Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company. The photographer's name in the lower right shows, "Associated Photographic Service, Commercial Photographers, 714 Market Street, Tacoma".

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

ca. 1937. One of the chemists at Columbia Breweries is using a slide rule to complete calculations from the data he obtained from earlier tests. A copy of "Alcohol Tables" is among other items on the desk along with a calendar, a pen holder, a telephone and small bottles of chemicals. Copies of industry magazines are laid out on the desk in the foreground, "Chemical Abstracts", "American Brewer", and "Brewers News". Bottles of labeled chemicals are seen behind glass doors on the right and more books are shelved in the back. Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company in December 1954. The photographer's name in the lower right shows, "Associated Photographic Service, Commercial Photographers, 714 Market Street, Tacoma".

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Chemistry--Tacoma; Scientists--Tacoma; Desks; Scientific equipment--Tacoma;

ca. 1937. A Great Northern freight car advertises Columbia Breweries "First Car Load Shipment of Canned Beer out of a Pacific Northwest Brewery, Leadership, Alt Heidelberg Guest Beer". In 1936 the company reported that they were the first of the Northwest brewers to introduce canned beer in the territory of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska. Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company in December 1954. The photographer's name in the lower right shows, "Associated Photographic Service, Commercial Photographers, 714 Market Street, Tacoma". TPL-9435

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma; Railroads--Tacoma; Great Northern Railway Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1937. One of the chemists at Columbia Breweries is measuring the specific gravity of at least three different bottles of Alt Heidelberg with a hydrometer and graduated cylinders. Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company in December 1954. The photographer's name in the lower right shows, "Associated Photographic Service, Commercial Photographers, 714 Market Street, Tacoma".

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Scientific equipment--Tacoma; Scientists--Tacoma; Laboratories--Tacoma;

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;

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;