Beer is a staple of Americana, so it’s only suitable that the buildings where it’s brewed are often classic examples of American architecture. Even though some breweries eventually fall into disrepair, either because the brewer shuts down or because it moves, many of those have been given second lives as loft apartments, hotels, restaurants and shops.
So while you’re imbibing this weekend, don’t just think about the flavour of the beer you’re sipping — contemplate where it came from.
Anheuser-Busch: St Louis, Missouri
The Budweiser Building is the oldest of the company’s US facilities. It still produces beer and is a symbol of the City of St Louis.
Yuengling Brewery: Pottsville, Pennsylvania
D.G. Yuengling & Sons is the oldest operating brewery in America, making beer since 1829. It even continued during Prohibition, still producing nearly non-alcoholic near beer.
Picture: Flickr/Flickr
Coors Brewery: Golden, Colorado
This is the original Coors, which has been located in Golden, Colorado since 1873. Of course it’s now made in a much larger, modern facility.
Picture: BeerHistory
Pabst Brewing Company: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
This is the former Milwaukee home for Pabst, which was was, at one point, the largest brewery in America. This building remained in stasis, largely abandoned for many years, but the city is trying to redevelop it as retail, offices and apartments.
Spoetzl Brewery: Shiner, Texas
Somewhere between Austin and San Antonio, you’ll find the home of Shiner Beer in a building that looks like a close cousin of the Alamo. Responsible for the delicious nectar that is Shiner beer, it was founded by a German immigrant brewer in 1909 and remains one of the largest independently owned and operated breweries in the country.
Picture: Flickr
Pearl Brewery: San Antonio, Texas
Not far south of Spoetzl is the Pearl Brewery in San Antonio. It was founded in 1883, but this actual facility stopped pumping out brews in 2001. Here’s another happy ending — it was turned into a cool, award-winning, LEED-certified spot with places to eat, drink and shop.
Picture: SharedShutter
New Belgium Brewery: Fort Collins, Colorado
New Belgium Brewery was started in the early ’90s by a couple who actually cared about sustainability. The building was made from reclaimed materials, with features like chairs in the tasting room made from old bike rims or desks from used bowling lanes. And everyone that works for the Colorado company gets his or her own bike to ride to and from the beautiful building.
Picture: Flickr
Boulevard Brewery: Kansas City, Missouri
On the outside, it’s a turn-of-the-century brick building in a historic district near downtown Kansas City. On the inside, it’s a vintage Bavarian brewhouse.
America Brewery: East Baltimore
The Victorian-style American Brewery was built by a family of German immigrants in 1887, and grew to be the largest brewery in Maryland. The central tower was busy as a grain elevator. But the success didn’t last — Prohibition forced the brewery to shutter, and it was eventually abandoned and left to decay. But again, someone recognised its beauty and its recently been restored and now serves as the headquarters for Humanim.
Picture: Flickr