Ohio Breweries History: August Wagner Breweries
August Wagner, like many other brewery founders, immigrated from
Germany in the late 1800's. In1906, the Gambrinus Brewing and Bottling Company
was established at South Front and College Streets. Most brewing consisted of
two brands--Augustiner, and Gambrinus. The company survived prohibition under
the name The August Wagner and Sons Products Company, Incorporated, and in
1933 was renamed The August Wagner and Sons Brewing Company, with expanded
plant capacity at South Front and Sycamore Streets. In 1937 the company was
renamed (for the final time) Augus Wagner Breweries,Incorporated.
The brewery remained in family hands until 1968, when it was purchased
by a group of Detroit investors. Renovations to the brewery were made in the late
60's, and in 1970 August Wagner Breweries purchased The Little Switzerland
Brewing Company of Huntington, West Virginia (the former Fesenmeier Brewery).
In 1971 the WVA plant was closed for good, and the August Wagner brewery was
closed in January of 1974. In March of that year, the land was sold to the
Dispatch Company, and the brewery was razed.
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