Brewing was Toledo’s leading industry by the late 1800’s. It was our champion of commerce long before glassmaking, oil refining, and auto manufacturing.

Heritage

Beer lovers and brewers came to America as early settlers seeking new homes in the 19th century. Their tradition embraced festivals, music, dancing, taverns, and other activities in which beer played a key role. In Northwest Ohio, the brewers found an ideal location to continue these traditions especially considering the large segments of community coming from Germany, Poland, Hungry, Britain, Ireland, and neighboring countries. Beer and brewing in the Toledo Area thrived.

Location

The brew master will tell you, what you need to build a successful brewery is a good supply of grain, hops, and other farm specialties. These include: fresh water, up to date equipment, kegs for storing and distribution (nearby woodlands in earlier times), glass bottles (right here in the world’s glass center), refrigeration (previous to electricity, cellars along the banks of creeks or river, and most importantly, a market where beer is the traditional beverage or choice!

Entrepreneurs

Since Toledo’s birth in 1837 and until Prohibition, brewing moved steadily ahead as one of the city’s most important industries. Brew masters and administrators found ambition and success with their skills here in Northwest Ohio. Assets for production and marketing attracted many bastion breweries here, some on a small neighborhood scale and others with much broader goals.