Pennsylvania Breweries History: Dawson Brewing Company Dawson & Son Brewery was founded in 1899 in New Bedford Massachusetts by Benjamin Dawson and closed in 1918 for proibition. In 1933 it reopened in New Bedford as Dawson's Brewery, INC. after it was purchased by Benjamin Rockman. Benjamin Rockman's nephew, Samuel Brown, managed the brewery for 35 years. In 1967 the brewery building were sold to Rheingold(Jacob Ruppert) and the brews were sold to Piels. Rheingold brewed their low calorie "Gablinger" brand at the "Dawson" brewery. The brewery closed for good in 1977 and the brewery buildings are now gone. There are lots of trays from the Dawson brewery in the hands of collectors. It is worth noting that the Blonde tray was modeled after Grase Dawson (Grand-Daughter of the founder) and her husband and the Brunett Tray was modled after her brother (Issac) and his wife. The Dawson Brewing Company of Massachusetts did not have any connection to the Dawson Brewing copmany in Allentown Pennsylvania.