Maryland Breweries History: National Brewing Company
In 1872 The National Brewery was built in Baltimore, MD and changed
its name to National Brewing in 1885 when it became part of the firm of
Joseph L. Straus & Brother. In 1889 National Brewing becomes part of Maryland
Brewing, a syndicate of 16 breweries with a massive capacity of 1.5 million barrels
however in 1901 eight of the breweries in the Maryland syndicate closed, and the
company was renamed as the Gottleib-Bauernschmidt-Straus Brewing Company. This company
was closed with the start of Prohibition. In 1934 with Prohibition ending in the USA,
National Brewing wnet back into business and introduced their mascot, the one eyed
Mr. Boh, who remained with them for the life of the company. In the 1940s National
Brewing purchase the former Altes Brewing Co. in Detroit and add Altes Beer to
their range. In 1961 National Brewing purchases the former American Brewing Co.
facility in Miami from Anheuser - Busch.
In 1963 in an effort to create a national brand, National Brewing introduce
Colt 45 Malt Liquor. The official story is that the beer
was not named after the firearm, but after #45, a running back for the Baltimore
Colts, which one of the breweries owners was invloved with.
In 1973 National Brewing closed their Detroit (formerly Altes) brewing operations.
In 1974 more bad news as National Brewing close their brewery in Miami and
further consolidate operations. In 1976 Carling merged with National Brewing in an attempt
to save both companies. In 1979 Carling - National ceases to exist, and is sold to
G Heileman Brewing Company of La Crosse. In 1980 the former National Brewing facility
(Conkling & O'Donnell Streets in Highlandtown) in Baltimore was closed.
In 1996 Heileman was sold to Stroh's of Detroit.
National Bohemian Beer was affectionately known as "Natty Boh".
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