August Wagner Breweries
Columbus, OH

631 South Front Street 1906 - 1974 
Barrel Output: 210,000 (1950) 
Phone:  CA. 1-4411 Actual Ph ## 

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). The idea was to take over their accounts, increase distribution,and brew Augustiner at this plant. It didn't happen, and in 1971 the WVA plant was closed for good. With national brewers able to sell beer at a lower cost (not to mention millions in advertising), the brewery was closed in January of 1974. By that time, not only was the brewery paying almost $10,000 in federal excise taxes per day, but the old plant (dated to 1906) was powered by coal and only 50% efficient.

The bank called in the loans,and there were over 140 creditors.

In March of that year, the land was sold for $800,000 to the Dispatch Company, and the brewery was razed. Currently the land is an empty lot, and the only remaining signs are the horse stables next door, and the statue of King Gambrinus, which stands at the corner of Front and Sycamore (it is said Wagner himself was the model for the statue). Brands were sold to Pittsburgh Brewing company, and sold until the late 70's.

In 1994, Gambrinus Brewing Company was founded and today brews and bottles Augustiner and Gambrinus.

ABC BEER (canned, pull tab)

ABC ALE (sold in the south only, canned, pull tab)

AUGUSTINER (cans-conetop, flat top, tab top, and bottles). Brand was aquired and canned by Pittsburgh Brewing in the 70's.

BAVARIAN'S SELECT BEER (16oz bottles only, Iroquois Brewing Co.)

BREWER'S BEST (bottles only-late 40's-early 50's)

COUGAR MALT LIQUOR (bottles only)

GAMBRINUS (cans-conetop, flat top, tab top, and bottles). The brand was acquired and canned by Pittsburgh Brewing in the 1970's. Wagner also operated a brewery in Chillicothe, Ohio from 1933 to 1951. It was named Old Capitol Brewery, Inc. until 1947 and then adopted The August Wagner Breweries, Inc. name. A conetop variation of the Gambrinus can was produced at this plant, and is rare.

GAM(used from the late 40's thru the late 50's: conetop, flat top,, and bottles)

GAMBRINUS BOCK (bottles only)

IROQUOIS ALE (32oz bottles only, Iroquois Brewing Co.)

IROQUOIS BEER (cans-tab top-used mandatory 'Iroquois Brewing Company, Columbus, Ohio' 1971 - 1974)

MARK FIVE (cans-tab top-local brand introduced in mid 60's-one of the first 'lite' beers) The brand was acquired and canned by Pittsburgh Brewing in the 1970's

PHOENIX CREAM ALE (bottles only, 1960's)

ROBIN HOOD BEER (bottles only, 1950'S?)

ROBIN HOOD ALE (bottles only, 1950's-60's)This brand was revived and canned by Pittsburgh Brewing in the 1970's.

*The author, Mike Colson, is interested in Ohio brewery history and advertising. Check out his Columbus, OH breweries web page at http://www.Gambrinus-Beer.com. Click here to contact him by email.

Web published by Dan Morean, http://www.breweriana.com.