Three Small Breweries, Thirty Acres, and a Thirsty Pacific

Not many years ago the Puget Sound country was almost an unknown thing. Slowly at first, through Indian trails over the mountains and plains, a few hardy adventurers from the East made their way, thousands of miles from their early homes, into the wilderness of the West. The country bordering the Sound was a fertile valley, and there was evidence of great mineral wealth. In a few short years the tide of immigration flowed in by thousands into the various valleys along the line of the railroads; they made their way through the strange land and carried to the world the products of this then almost unknown country.

About seven years ago Mr. F. Sweeney and Mr. W. J. Gram, looking to the future of the country, erected a small brewery in South Seattle. A short time after, Mr. Sweeney became the sole proprietor, continuing the business several years. A few years ago it was turned into a joint stock company, and at about that time the Bay View Brewing Company and the Albert Braun Brewing Company were also in the field with fine plants and were doing a good business. Mr. Sweeney was chosen president and H. J. Claussen secretary, the name of the concern becoming the Claussen-Sweeney Company.

The first year it was found necessary to enlarge the plant to meet the demands of the trade. The capital stock was constantly increased and many improvements and permanent additions were made to the plant. A new boiler house, a new brew house, storage and fermenting rooms were constructed and remain among its buildings. Several railway tracks run directly to the door, and the beer from the brewery is transferred directly into the cars. The new building is two stories high and arranged in the most approved fashion required for the modern system of brewing. In addition there was a stone warehouse, and the property also owns storehouses and buildings which are located near the brewery.

A market was assured for the output of this concern on account of the purity and excellence of the beer manufactured; large quantities of it are sold in Seattle, Tacoma and other Washington points, also as far north as Victoria and Vancouver, and as far east as North Yakima. An idea of the enormous amount of business done by the Claussen-Sweeney Company can be formed when it is known that over 4,000 sacks of malt were consumed monthly and that a great many men were given constant employment. A very large amount of money has been invested to make the plant complete and render it equal to the task of turning out the very best quality of beer.

In addition to the brewery the company erected a new ice factory known as the Washington Ice and Bottling Works. This company's water works on the Duwamish river have sufficient power to operate its own plant and supply the surrounding country. Altogether forty men are employed in this department.

The Bay View plant is thoroughly equipped, consisting of brew house, cellars, filling room and wash house in five buildings, and a recently built fireproof structure has been added. The Albert Braun plant has been fitted with all improvements necessary for the manufacture of its famous beer. In 1894 Mr. Gram purchased the interest of H. J. Claussen, and the business was consolidated under the name of the Seattle Brewing and Malting Company, with a large capital stock.

Many prominent capitalists are identified with the organization. There is nothing in the nature of a trust in Seattle, but a great and enterprising company. The Seattle Brewing and Malting Company has ample facilities for the manufacture of beer on the Pacific Coast, and its territory covers British Columbia, Alaska and Montana.

Some idea of the magnitude of the enterprise may be had from the size of the plant and the number of men on the pay roll. The breweries, malt houses, ice houses, bottling works, cooper shops, stables, etc., cover nearly thirty acres of ground, and the number of men upon the pay roll is from 100 to 120. The company has agents in a number of towns over the state, and its business increases every year.

The officers of the company are: F. Sweeney, president; W. J. Gram, vice president; W. H. Murray, secretary; F. Herschler, treasurer. The general offices of the company occupy six commodious rooms in the Dexter Horton building. The importance of the consolidation of Seattle's breweries under one management, with practically unlimited capital at its disposal, makes the city the greatest brewing center of the Northwest and will increase the trade of Seattle by many thousands of dollars annually.

The trade of the company has extended to Honolulu, Australia and Japan, in which places a fine business is being done. As soon as freight facilities are arranged the company's products will be shipped to Central America.