Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
SCHMID BROTHERS AND COMPANY
SCHMID BROTHERS AND COMPANY. Dubuque's first brewery to bottle beer for drinking at home, the brewery was located behind what became the municipal bus garage at 24th Street and Central Avenue. Schmid Brewery was constructed in 1855 by Titus Schmid. Built of stone, the brewery rose four stories while a dry kiln and malt house reached three stories. After Schmidt's death, the brewery was operated by his sons Alphonse, Titus and Albert. At some time later the ownership became Titus, Albert and Emil Reh.
On March 2, 1891 Reh left the company. Albert, Titus and Alphonzo Schmid continued the business. (1)
One of Dubuque's largest BREWERIES, the company's name was changed to the IOWA BREWERY. The annual production reached 5,000 barrels as the weekly wages earned by twelve employees totaled $820.
The consolidation of the brewery with three others in town led to the creation in 1892 of the DUBUQUE BREWING AND MALTING COMPANY, the largest firm of its type between Omaha, Nebraska, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Moving into the vacated site of the Schmid Brewery was the Dubuque Weiss Beer Company. The company became the ARTESIAN BOTTLING COMPANY in 1910 as the brewery was discontinued. The bottling company offered soda water in nearly every flavor including its popular grapefruit drink. In 1938 John Shanahan purchased the plant from Gus Meyer. The plant continued to produce soda until the building was destroyed by fire in 1945.
The 1886-87 Dubuque City Directory listed 2327 Couler.
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Source:
1. "Notice of Dissolution," Dubuque Daily Herald, March 3, 1891, p. 4