Kentucky Breweries History: Falls City Brewing Company
 The Falls City Brewing Company was based in Louisville, Kentucky
and operated from 1905-1978. The company was organized by local tavern and
grocery store owners and the name taken from the original name of Louisville,
because it is on the site of the only large waterfall on the Ohio River south
of Pittsburgh. This company was a bit different than most breweries in the USA
as it was not family owned. It was organized to break a local monopoly on beer
production by the Central Consumers Company. Central Consumers also owned a
taverns (or tied houses) located in neighborhoods where taverns could be operated
profitably. The brewer, acting as landlord and supplier at the same time, caused
the tavern owner to be at their mercy. This practice, while common in the UK, was
later outlawed in the US.
The Falls City Brewing Company
convinced the brother of United States president Jimmy Carter,
(Billy Carter) to launch his own brand of beer. It was a big hit for awhile
but was ended when the Falls City Brewing Company went Out of Business in 1978.
After the brewery closed, the brand was first picked up by G. Heileman
of LaCrosse and then sold to Sterling Breweries of Evansville, IN. When Sterling
closed the brand was transferred to Pittsburgh Brewing of Iron City fame.
|
