National Brewing Company
Encyclopedia
The National Brewing Company was a beer brewing company based in Baltimore
, Maryland
. The National Brewing Company operated from 1872 until the late 1970's. At the end of the 70's, the National Brewing Company was purchased and their breweries were shut down. However, National's two most prominent brands, National Bohemian Beer
and Colt 45
, were kept alive and are now brewed in Wisconsin.
in 1920; larger competitors, however, such as Gunther and Globe Brewing (maker of arrow beer), managed to sidestep Prohibition by producing near-beer.
Shortly after Prohibition was overturned on April 7, 1933, Samuel Hoffberger acquired and modernized the company, thereby reviving the National Brewing Company. When his son, Jerold Hoffberger
, returned from World War II
in 1945, Hoffberger made him treasurer of the company at age 26. A year later, Jerold Hoffberger was named President of the National Brewing Company, a position he would hold for 28 years. At the time, the company was producing approximately 230,000 barrels of beer.
Moreover, in 1963, National Brewing Company started brewing Colt 45 (which contrary to popular beliefs, is named after 1963 Colts’ running back Jerry Hill #45, and not the gun). Prior to its advent, the only major national brand of malt liquor was Country Club. (See also Colt 45 (malt liquor)
) To emblemize its "extra kick" compared to competing brands, Colt 45 was accordingly labeled with a kicking horse and horse shoe.
National Bohemian, likewise, gained prominence in the 1965, when Jerold Hoffberger created the Baltimore Orioles
(formerly, the St. Louis Browns) and began marketing “Natty Boh” at Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)
. National Bohemian would ultimately become the official sponsor of the Baltimore Orioles and the official beer of Baltimore. Albeit, by the end of the decade, National Brewing Company, squeezed by high prices and increasing competition, could no longer afford to be an independent entity.
was closed. Stroh’ of Detroit later bought over the rights from Heileman in 1996. National Bohemian beer has not brewed in Baltimore ever since.
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. The National Brewing Company operated from 1872 until the late 1970's. At the end of the 70's, the National Brewing Company was purchased and their breweries were shut down. However, National's two most prominent brands, National Bohemian Beer
National Bohemian
National Bohemian Beer, colloquially called Natty Boh, National Boh or just plain Boh, is an American beer originally brewed in Baltimore, Maryland, but now brewed by the Miller Brewing Company in Eden, North Carolina, and distributed by the Pabst Brewing Company...
and Colt 45
Colt 45 (malt liquor)
Colt 45 is a brand of malt liquor introduced by National Brewing Company in the spring of 1963. Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, the National Brewing Company and its brands are today owned by the Pabst Brewing Company....
, were kept alive and are now brewed in Wisconsin.
History
In 1872, the National Brewing Company was built at the intersection of Conkling and O'Donnell Street in Baltimore, Maryland. The company was then known exclusively for its National Premium beer. In 1885, National Brewery Company began brewing their flagship National Bohemian beer by the barrel. Nevertheless, they were still considered one of the city’s smaller breweries. The brewery itself, still showing signs of stables from the days of horse-drawn beer wagons, was in dire need of renovations. Unavoidably, National Brewing Company was forced to shut down with the onset of the 13 year Noble ExperimentProhibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
in 1920; larger competitors, however, such as Gunther and Globe Brewing (maker of arrow beer), managed to sidestep Prohibition by producing near-beer.
Shortly after Prohibition was overturned on April 7, 1933, Samuel Hoffberger acquired and modernized the company, thereby reviving the National Brewing Company. When his son, Jerold Hoffberger
Jerold Hoffberger
Jerold Charles 'Jerry' Hoffberger was an American businessman. He was president of the National Brewing Company from 1946 to 1973. He was also part-owner of the Baltimore Orioles of the American League from 1954 to 1965, and majority owner from 1965 to 1979.-Biography:Hoffberger was a lifelong...
, returned from World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in 1945, Hoffberger made him treasurer of the company at age 26. A year later, Jerold Hoffberger was named President of the National Brewing Company, a position he would hold for 28 years. At the time, the company was producing approximately 230,000 barrels of beer.
Expanding the Market
It was also around this time that Mr. Boh, a one-eyed mascot with a handlebar-mustache, came to endorse National Bohemian, as the beer “From the Land of Pleasant Living.” This notion was later adopted by the company’s jingle, which boasted how National beer was proudly “brewed on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.” The brewery was quickly gaining a name for itself; and in the late 1940s, National became the first to place six-packs of canned beer on the market.Moreover, in 1963, National Brewing Company started brewing Colt 45 (which contrary to popular beliefs, is named after 1963 Colts’ running back Jerry Hill #45, and not the gun). Prior to its advent, the only major national brand of malt liquor was Country Club. (See also Colt 45 (malt liquor)
Colt 45 (malt liquor)
Colt 45 is a brand of malt liquor introduced by National Brewing Company in the spring of 1963. Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, the National Brewing Company and its brands are today owned by the Pabst Brewing Company....
) To emblemize its "extra kick" compared to competing brands, Colt 45 was accordingly labeled with a kicking horse and horse shoe.
National Bohemian, likewise, gained prominence in the 1965, when Jerold Hoffberger created the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
(formerly, the St. Louis Browns) and began marketing “Natty Boh” at Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)
Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium may refer to:In Canada:* Memorial Stadium , St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador; former home of the St. John's Maple LeafsIn the United Kingdom:...
. National Bohemian would ultimately become the official sponsor of the Baltimore Orioles and the official beer of Baltimore. Albeit, by the end of the decade, National Brewing Company, squeezed by high prices and increasing competition, could no longer afford to be an independent entity.
Mergers and Acquisitions
In 1975, National Brewing merged with Carling brewery in an attempt to save both companies. Although, the Hoffberger’s managed to sell their beer holdings for more than $16 million dollars, Jerold Hoffberger stayed on as head of Carling-National Breweries. At the time, National had two breweries (the other in Phoenix, Arizona) and Carling had seven; together they had the capacity to brew 1.9 million 60-gallon barrels a year, making it the 9th largest brewery of its kind in the country. Nevertheless, as Carling-National experienced a sharp decline in sales their first year, a merger with Pabst Brewing was subsequently proposed. The court, however, arguing that the fusion of the two companies would result in a monopoly, denied the merger. Merely three years later, Carling-National was sold to G. Heileman Brewing Company of LaCrosse, and the former brewing facility of Brewer’s HillBrewer's Hill, Baltimore
Brewers Hill is a neighborhood in the Southeast District of Baltimore, Maryland, United States.The neighborhood is bounded by Fleet Street to the north, Haven Street to the east, Dillon Street to the south, and Conkling Street to the west. Brewers Hill is south of the Highlandtown and east of the...
was closed. Stroh’ of Detroit later bought over the rights from Heileman in 1996. National Bohemian beer has not brewed in Baltimore ever since.