Columbus, OH

585 North Cleveland Ave. 1905 - 1919 
699 River Street. 1933 - 1934 
117 North Sandusky Street. 1934 - 1954 
Brewery located on corner of River and Sandusky Streets 
Barrel Output: 150,000 (1953) 
Phone:  ADAMS 4228 Actual ph. # 

The Franklin Brewing Company was established in 1905 with the brewery located on Cleveland Avenue, just north of downtown Columbus. When Ohio went dry in 1919, the plant closed (unlike other breweries, which marketed near beer or soda during prohibition, it appears all operations were shut down).When the 21st Amendment was passed, operations were moved to the Franklinton area of Columbus. With the new building, it was renamed The Riverside Brewing Company in 1933. In 1935, The Franklin Brewing Company name returned. The main brands were Ben Brew and Kings Head Ale. Ben Brew was marketed with the line "Ask for Benny!".

Like most other regional breweries, Franklin enjoyed success through the 30's and early 40's. Faced with a declining marketing share during the 40's, the business was sold to a strong regional brewer in 1952--Pilsener Brewing Company of Cleveland, Ohio. P.O.C. was selling more beer than it could make, and the Columbus plant allowed them to service their Ohio accounts outside the Cleveland area.

The home plant for Pilsener was expanded by 1954, and the Franklin (Pilsener Brewing Company of Columbus) was shut down for good.* One year later, State Route 315 went through part of the old brewery site, and the plant was razed. All that remains today is the loading dock/garage, and the brick sidewalks where the brewery once stood.

BEN BREW 100% Grain Beer (cans - conetop wanted, bottles)

BEN BREW 100% Grain Krausen Beer (cans-conetop, bottle)

BEN BREW BOCK BEER (bottles only)

BEN BREW SPECIAL BEER (bottles only)

FRANKLIN LAGER BEER (bottles only)

KING'S HEAD ALE (cans-conetop-rare, bottles)

P.O.C. (Pilsener Brewing Company of Columbus, Ohio, cans-flat top,-rare, bottles)

*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.