TOUR the MUSEUM - Breweries of Tennessee

Museum of Beverage Containers & Advertising
MUSEUM HOME PAGE MUSEUM... in the BEGINNING  COLLECTOR INFORMATION

Location -
People		 Soda
Displays		 Beer
Displays		 Breweries of
Tennessee		 BCCA
Canvention 1998

Atlantic Brewing Company (Chattanooga, TN)   1936-1941

Atlantic Brewing Co. Match Cover

 Atlantic Brewing Co. Match Cover

Atlantic Ale Paper Bottle Label

 Atlantic Ale Paper Bottle Label Atlantic Beer Paper Bottle Label Atlantic Beer Paper Bottle Label

Atlantic Beer Paper Bottle Label

 Atlantic Beer Paper Bottle Label Atlantic Draft Beer Paper Bottle Label Atlantic Draft Beer Paper Bottle Label

Steinerbru Beer Paper Bottle Label

 Steinerbru Beer Paper Bottle Label

Chattanooga Brewing Company (Chattanooga, TN)   1890 - 1915

Faultless Quart Beer Bottle

 Quart sized, Brown glass, embossed:  Chattanooga Brewing Company.  Faultless (picture of wings), Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Registered

Faultless 12 oz. Beer Bottle

 12 oz, Clear glass, embossed: Chattanooga Brewing Company.  Faultless (picture of wings), Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Registered

Chattanooga Brewing Co. Beer tray

 Chattanooga Brewing Co. Beer tray

Chattanooga Brewing Co. Imperial Pilsner Etched Beer glass

 Pre-pro Chattanooga Brewing Co. Imperial Pilsner Etched Beer glass Liebotschaner Beer Paper Bottle Label Liebotschaner Beer Paper Bottle Label
Faultless Lager Beer Lithograph Faultless Lager Beer Lithograph Pre-pro Chattanooga Brewing Co. Litho from 1901. In the top right it says "Souvenir-1901".across the bottom "Our beers are liquid food ".in the center over the girls head is a logo for "Faultless Lager Beer". Size with frame is 26x20.
Dutch girl Dutch girl The artist, M. Greiner, in black printing it has copyright 1905 Chattanooga Brewing Co. It is a picture is of a cute little brightly dressed Dutch girl. The frame is not the original but it is an old frame. The print is 7 3/4" x 9 3/4".
geisha girl geisha girl Here is another print of a geisha girl. In black printing it has copyright 1905 Chattanooga Brewing Co. The print is 11 inches long and 9 inches wide.

Chattanooga Brewing Company leather change purs

 Chattanooga Brewing Company leather change purse

Chattanooga Brewing Co. 1899 Receipts

 Chattanooga Brewing Co. 1899. 4 Receipts and envelope all marked Chattanooga Brewing Company and dated 1899. Receipts for Beer delivered to J.W. Russell, owner of City Bar, Main St. Morristown Tennessee

Chattanooga Brewing Co. Faultless Beer tray

 Chattanooga Brewing Co. Faultless Beer tray circa 1903-1905

Magnolia Beer Bottle Magnolia Beer Invoice - Pricelist

 Chattanooga Brewing Co. Magnolia Beer Invoice - Pricelist Magnolia Beer Paper Bottle Label Magnolia Beer Paper Bottle Label

Southeastern Brewing Company (Chattanooga)   1934 -1936

Atlantic Old South Bock Beer Paper Bottle Label

 Atlantic Old South Bock Beer Paper Bottle Label

Old South Ale Paper Bottle Labe

 Old South Ale Paper Bottle Label

Old South Bottle Ale Bottle Cap

 Old South Bottle Ale Bottle Cap

Brewing in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Charles A. Bohr 1874 -1875
Conrad Geise & E.D. Kohn aka Conrad Geise Company, 2nd & Broad Street 1888 -1890
Chattanooga Brewing Company 1890 -1915
Purity Extract & Tonic Company        ? -1934
Atlantic Ice & Coal Company. aka Southeastern Brewing Company,37 W. 13th St. 1934 -1936
Atlantic Brewing Company 1936 -1941
Big River Grill and Brewing Works #1, 222 Broad Street 1993 - Open
Hops Restaurant - Bar - Brewery, 2122 Gunbarrel Road 1998 - Open

Moerlein Gerst Brewing Company, Nashville, Tennessee
821 6th Avenue South    - 1890-1893

Click here to see a newer version of the Gerst Breweriana
Old Jug Lager with rooster Moerlein - Gerst Old Jug Lager Bottle 1 (Rooster) Moerlein - Gerst Old Jug Lager Bottle 2 (Rooster) Moerlein - Gerst Old Jug Lager Bottle 3 (Rooster) Moerlein - Gerst Old Jug Lager Bottle 4 (Rooster)
The lower left says “Fully Matured. A Veritable Luxury”. The lower right says “The Fashionable Beverage of the Day. Brilliant in Color, Absolutely pure. Stimulating, Rejuvenating. Nashville, Tenn. USA.” 8½" tall two tone stoneware bottle.  The label is printed under the glaze.

Moerlein - Gerst Old Jug Lager Bottle 5 (Rooster)

Old Jug Lager with shield Moerlein - Gerst Old Jug Lager Bottle 1 (Shield) Moerlein - Gerst Old Jug Lager Bottle 2 (Shield) Moerlein - Gerst Old Jug Lager Bottle 3 (Shield) Moerlein - Gerst Old Jug Lager Bottle 4 (Shield)
Moerlein-Gerst Brewing Co. Agriculture Commerce trademark "Old Jug Lager" "Ultes Grug Bier" "The Fashionable beverage of the day. Brilliant in color. Absolutely Pure, Stimulating, Rejuvenating. Fully Matured, a Veritable Luxury. Nashville, Tenn. U.S.A." , 9" tall two tone stoneware bottle.

William Gerst Brewing Company, Nashville, Tennessee
821, 6th Avenue South    - 1893-1954
Gerst Brewing Co. Nashville, Tennessee Old Gerst Brewing Co. Photo Photo of Gerst Brewing Co.  Date unknown.

Old Photo Gerst Beer Tire Cover

 Old photograph
Gerst Post Card The Victoria used in the Celebration of Gerst's 50th Anniversary, was used over 80 years ago by General Wm. H. Jackson, Belle Mead, Nashville Tennessee.
Gerst Letterhead

William Gerst Signature

Click here to see a close-up of the Brewery on the letterhead

 Brewed in Dixie Since 1890.  Letterhead from 1947

Gerst Etched Beer Glass

 Gerst Etched Beer Glass Old Pre-pro Gerst Billhead Old Pre-pro Gerst Billhead

Gerst Pilsner IRTP Paper Label Beer Bottle

 Gerst Pilsner IRTP Paper Label Beer Bottle
Gerst beer celluloid pocket calendar 1901 & 1902 Gerst beer celluloid pocket calendar 1901 & 1902 Gerst celluloid pocket calendar 1901 & 1902. The first half shows fire alarm stations, identification, rules for computing interest, railroad distances and fair from Nashville, then it has a notepaper in the middle, then it shows census of 1900, laws, postal rates, weight & measurement, help in case of accident, antidotes for poisons. The booklet is 5 ¼ X 2 ¾ inches.
Gerst beer celluloid pocket calendar 1897 Gerst beer celluloid pocket calendar 1897 Gerst celluloid pocket calendar 1897

Old William Gerst Brewing Co. Pre-Pro Mug

 Old William Gerst Brewing Co. Pre-Pro Mug

Gerst Porcelain Signs

 Gerst Beer Porcelain Sign #1 Gerst Beer Porcelain Sign #2 Gerst Beer Porcelain Sign #3

1920's prohibition Gerst Bottling Works Embossed Bottle

 1920's prohibition Gerst Bottling Works Embossed Bottle.

Gerst 57 Beer Glass

 Gerst 57 Beer Glass
Gerst  Bottle Caps Gerst 57 Beer bottle cap Gerst Pilsner Beer bottle cap KO Ale bottle cap by Gerst

Gerst Bottle Labels
Gerst Bock Beer Bottle Label "Gerst Bock Beer.", "Brewed in Dixie." 12 Fluid Oz., The William Gerst Brewing Co. Inc., Nashville, Tennessee, 1930's, size - 4 ¾" X 3".
Gerst Old Style Ale Bottle Label "Gerst Old Style Ale." "Brewed in Dixie." 12 Fluid Oz., The William Gerst Brewing Co. Inc., Nashville, Tennessee, 1940's, size - 4 ¾" X 3".
Gerst Pale Beer Bottle Label "Dove Brand Gerst Pale Beer", 12 Fl. Oz. The William Gerst Brewing Co. Inc. Nashville, Tennessee, 1930's, size - 4 ¾" X 3".
Big 10 Beer Bottle Label By Gerst "Big 10 Beer", 12 Fl. Oz. The William Gerst Brewing Co. Inc. Nashville, Tennessee, 1950's.

KO Ale bottle label by Gerst

 "K-O Ale", 32 Fl. Oz. The William Gerst Brewing Co. Inc. Nashville, Tennessee, 1940's

Gerst 77 32 oz beer bottle label

 "Gerst 77", 32oz The William Gerst Brewing Co. Inc. Nashville, Tennessee, 1950's

Gerst Brew 77 Cone top Beer Can

 Gerst Brew 77 Cone top Beer Can from the early 1950's. Extra Dry Beer, Premium Quality on front and back. Brewed by The Wm. Gerst Brewing Co., Inc., Nashville, Tenn.""Contents 12 Fluid Ounces" Very hard to find!

Gerst 77 12 oz bottles and cardboard case

 Gerst 77 12 oz bottles and cardboard case

Orange Crush Soda Bottle Produced By Gerst

 Orange Crush Painted Label Soda Bottle Produced by Gerst Bottling Works, 1940's..

Orange Crush News Paper Ad (Gerst Bottling Works)

 Orange Crush News Paper Ad (Gerst Bottling Works)

Gerst House Resturaunt

 Photo of the inside of the old Gerst House Restaurant, Nashville, TN, ( now moved).
 

Knoxville Brewing Company
1894 Advertising Calendar Knoxville Brewing Company 1894 Advertising Calendar Knoxville Brewing Company New Knoxville Brewing Company Photo New Knoxville Brewing Company

1894 Advertising Calendar Knoxville Brewing Company

 An original 1894 advertising Calendar from The Knoxville Brewing Company. It measures 20½ tall X 15¼ inches wide. It was made by the Gast Art Litho Company, St Louis, MO. & New York, N.Y. It has a small stamp in the top left corner that reads "H.S. Mizner Assignee". It is missing the months January to April. 
Knoxville Brewing Co. Etched beer glass Knoxville Brewing Co. Etched beer glass Knoxville Brewing Co. Etched beer glass. It stands 3½ inches tall. We believe this to be one of the most obscure southern beer glasses known.

New Knoxville Brewing Company Embossed Beer Bottle New Knoxville Brewing Company Embossed Beer Bottle

 New Knoxville Brewing Company Embossed Beer Bottle

Palmetto Beer Paper Bottle Label

 Palmetto Beer Paper Bottle Label

Brewing in Knoxville, Tennessee
Union Brewery, Paul Sturm, Jacksboro Road 1869 -1874
Knoxville Brewery, Lucas Graf, Asylum Street 1869 -1874
Knoxville Brewing Co., aka Martin Shea, Knoxville Brewery  1878 -1879
East Tennessee Brewery, Charles Kohlkase        ? -1885
Knoxville Brewing Association, aka E. Tennessee Brewing Co 1886 -1889
Knoxville Brewing Co 1889 -1893
New Knoxville Brewing Co., 613 McGhee & Chamberlain Streets 1895 -1902
East Tennessee Brewing Co 1902 -1915

Tennessee Brewing Company Logo
Tennessee Brewing Company, Butler & Tennessee Streets, Memphis, Tennessee

Tennessee Brewing Company Display Goldcrest 51 Beer Advertising Tennessee Brewing Company Display Tennessee Brewing Company Display

Pearl of Memphis Beer Bottle Label

Memphis  Brewing & Malting Company. 1877-1884
Tennessee  Brewing Company 1884-1916
Tennessee  Beverage Company 1916-1933 (Prohibition)
Tennessee  Brewing Company 1933-1955
High on the bluff at Memphis, Tennessee, overlooking the Mississippi River, stands a monument to a once great southern brewery.  This large Victorian complex once housed the Tennessee Brewing Company, a leader in early brewery production.

The brewery was organized, originally, in 1877 by G.H. Herboro and named "The Memphis Brewing Company".  After being bought in 1885 by J. W. Schorr, Casper Koehler, and associates, it soon became one of the largest breweries of the era.   The first beer marketed was simply "Pilsener".  Later, there were two brands called "Colombian" and "Erlanger"; this was before 1917's prohibition. 

Tennessee Embossed Beer Glass

 Pre-pro embossed glass.

Columbia Beer Tin Advertising Sign

Columbian Pre-Pro Beer tin sign

Tennessee Brewing Stock 1885

A stock certificate (# 25) for 5 shares of the Tennessee Brewing Company. This company was founded in Memphis, Tennessee in 1885 br John W. Schorr, the original president of the company. Inasmuch as this stock certificate is dated May 1, 1885, it is probable that this is part of the original issue of stocks from the company. The stock is issued to Caspar Koehler who also signed as the secretary of the company. The stock has a circular embossed stamp in the LL corner. The stamp says "Tennessee Brewing Company, Memphis, Tenn., Organized 1885".
Tennessee Brewing Company Tennessee Brewing Company Large Image Tennessee Brewing Company Tray Pre-Prohibition Tray

Tennessee Brewing Company old Billhead

Pre-pro billhead.

Tennessee Brewing Company pre-pro bottle Tennessee Brewing Company pre-pro bottle

Pre-Pro paper label Bottle.

Tennessee Brewing Company bottle Tennessee Brewing Company bottle

Pre-Pro Bottle "THIS BOTTLE IS THE PROPERTY OF TENNESSEE BREWING CO."

Goldcrest Bottle Beer" on back bar mirror

"Goldcrest Bottle Beer" on back bar mirror.

Nib Beverage bottle Nib Beverage bottle envelope (Prohibition)

Nib Beverage bottle envelope (Prohibition).

51 Splits metal sign, The split was a 6-oz beer bottle.

51 Splits metal sign 20¼ X 28¼. The split was a 6-oz beer bottle.
At one time, more than 1,500 workers owed their livelihood to the Tennessee Brewing Company which indicates its size.  By 1903, production was up to 250,000 barrels per year, making this the largest brewery in the south. The building that remains today was erected in 1890 and is basically unchanged, except it now is being renovated to become apartments or a mall.

The last president of the brewery, Mr. E. C. Krausnick, great grandson of Casper Koehler, stated that even Goldcrest 51 was primarily bottled beer and that they did not can any of their products until about 1947.  The first can was a cone top, used until about 1950-51, at which time they added a flat top, produced until the brewery closed in 1954.  Mr. Krausnick indicated that the percentage of their Goldcrest 51 in cans was very small.  As a somewhat local beer, the brewery used the return bottles until it ceased operations.

After prohibition the best known and leading beer sold in Memphis for many years was "Goldcrest", which after 1938 was known as "Goldcrest 51" to honor more than 51 years in the brewing business.

Photo of a store front selling Goldcrest Beer

Photo of a store front selling Goldcrest Beer.

A man in front of a Tennessee Beer Co. Truck

A man in front of a Tennessee Beer Co. Truck.
Goldcrest 51 Cone Top Beer Can #1 Goldcrest 51 Cone Top Beer Can #2 Goldcrest 51 Cone Top Beer Can #3 12 oz cone top beer cans produced by the Tennessee Brewing Co. Goldcrest 51 Flat Top Beer Can Desoto Flat Top Beer Can 12 oz flat top beer cans produced by the Tennessee Brewing Co., 1950's.
Goldcrest 51 Beer Bottle Cap Tennessee Brewing Co. Beer Bottle Cap Goldcrest 51 cone top or bottle caps. Goldcrest Super Six Beer Bottle Goldcrest Super Six Beer Bottle.

Tennessee Brewing Company Beer Bottle Labels

Southern Enterprise Special Brew Pilsener Beer Bottle Label

Southern Enterprise Special Brew Pilsener, Tennessee Brewing Co. Memphis, Tennessee, 1890's.

Jockey Club Extra Brew Beer Bottle Label

Jockey Club Extra Brew, Tennessee Brewing Co. Memphis, Tennessee, 1890's.

Goldcrest Bee bottle label

Goldcrest Beer, Tennessee Brewing Co. Memphis, Tennessee, 1910's.

Special Brew Pilsner beer bottle label

Special Brew Pilsner, Tennessee Brewing Co. Memphis, Tennessee, 1910's.

Old Original Goldcrest Beer bottle label

"Old Original Goldcrest Beer" 12 Fluid Oz. Tennessee Brewing Co. Memphis, Tennessee, 1930's.

Old Original Goldcrest Beer bottle label

4 1/2"X 3" label. "Old Original Goldcrest 51 Beer" 12 Fluid Oz. Tennessee Brewing Co. Memphis, Tennessee, 1930's.

Goldcrest 51 Beer bottle label

Goldcrest 51 Beer label 12 Fluid Oz. Tennessee Brewing Co. Memphis, Tennessee, 1940's.

Goldcrest 51 Bock Beer bottle label

Goldcrest 51 Bock Beer label 12 Fluid Oz. Tennessee Brewing Co. Memphis, Tennessee, 1940's.

Goldcrest 51 Beer bottle label

Goldcrest 51 Beer label 12 Fluid Oz. Tennessee Brewing Co. Memphis, Tennessee, 1950's.

Have plenty on hand for CUSTOMER DEMAND" advertisement

"Have plenty on hand for CUSTOMER DEMAND" advertisement.

51 Bottle topper.  " Finest Beer you ever tasted"

51 Bottle topper.  " Finest Beer you ever tasted".

Goldcrest 51 Beer Advertising

 Goldcrest Advertising from the 1940's.

Tennessee Brewing Co. CorkscrewTennessee Brewing Co. Corkscrew

 Tennessee Brewing Co. Corkscrew.
MUSEUM HOME PAGE MUSEUM... in the BEGINNING  COLLECTOR INFORMATION