Manhattan Brewing Company of Chicago

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The Manhattan Brewing Company was a brewery founded in Chicago, USA in 1893 which had associations with Al Capone and organized crime during prohibition. It changed its name to the Canadian Ace Brewing Company and operated as such through the 50s and 60s until closing in 1968.

Contents

[edit] History

The Manhattan Brewing Co. was founded in 1893. During Prohibition, underworld elements reorganized the brewery under the Malt Maid banner and in 1925 the name was changed to Fort Dearborn Products Company. Beer was produced illegally on the premises, and the brewery was occasionally searched. Manhattan returned to regular beer production after prohibition was repealed. In 1933, likely in anticipation of legal 3.2% beer, the name was changed from Fort Dearborn to Manhattan.

Up to January, 1936, Manhattan Brewery confined its distribution to the states immediately adjacent to its locale. During that period, "Old Manhattan" was their flagship brand. With the advent of the Keglined beer can, Manhattan dramatically expanded their distribution and brand offerings. In 1938, Manhattan boasted of being second to the Pabst Brewing Company in canned beer production.

Manhattan had business relationships with many brewing companies. Manhattan records indicate they owned stock in the Prima-Bismarck brewing company, and advanced cash to a number of brewing companies (Food City, Whitewater, Ann Arbor). Manhattan would can and bottle brands under contract for such breweries.

The brewery was demolished in 1976.

[edit] Organized Crime

Individuals with ties to organized crime had both direct and indirect involvement with the operations of Manhattan. During prohibition, Al Capone was associated with illicit activities at the brewery during the Malt Maid Products / Fort Dearborn Products era. Lou Greenberg (finance man for Al Capone) held a high position within Manhattan. Later, the respectable Arthur Luederwas installed as President.

Manhattan had run-ins with federal authorities, mainly for deceptive marketing practices which often suggested beer produced at their brewery in Chicago was produced by different breweries, or in different locations. The ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30 1944 mentions the following case pending in the courts: "Manhattan Brewing Co., Chicago.--Seventh Circuit (Chicago), misleading use of words “Canadian” and “Wisconsin” in brand or trade names for beer or ale not brewed in Canada or Wisconsin."[1] The Canadian (Ace) issue drags on through 1945 and 1946.[2]

[edit] Breweriana

Besides the link with organized crime, interest in the Manhattan Brewing Company is due the variety of brands and related breweriana for which they were directly or indirectly responsible. Cans are sought after Manhattan breweriana.[3]

[edit] Canadian Ace Brewing Company

Manhattan changed their name to Canadian Ace effective January 2, 1947, and discontinued producing any brands bearing Manhattan in the name. The likely rational was an attempt "clean-up" the post-war image of the brewery by retiring the Manhattan flag ship brand and relying upon the well established Canadian Ace brand to be the bell weather for the future.

The link to organized crime remained as Lou Greenberg was a principal owner of the Canadian Ace Brewing Company.[4]

As Canadian Ace, the brewery used various brewery names on their cans matching the label or brand (Essex was Essex Brewery Ltd., Jester was the Jester Brewing Co., and so on.

The Canadian Ace Brewing Company was formed in 1933 as a successor to the Manhattan Brewing Company (1893 – 1933). The brewery was located at 3901 Emerald Ave at 39th Street, in Chicago, Illinois. Canadian Ace produced beer from 1933 until the brewery closed in 1968.

Canadian Ace’s products included: Canadian Ace, Colonel Tyson, Gold Brau, Holly, Koenig Brau, Land of Lakes, Malt Mellow Tonic, Reidenbach, Special Formula 12, and 21 Century beer; Canadian Ace and Gold Brau bock; Canadian Ace and Pe Be 99 malt liquor; and Canadian Ace Ale.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.ftc.gov/os/annualreports/ar1944.pdf
  2. ^ [1] Time magazine article from 1946
  3. ^ Manhattan Brewing Company - Breweriana
  4. ^ http://www.onewal.com/kefp2.html
  5. ^ [2] Tavern Trove

The Great Chicago Beer Cans, by Phil Pospychala & Joe McFarland, copyright 1979 by SILVER FOX PRODUCTIONS.

Capone and Manhattan: The Myth Persists, by Rich LaSusa, The Breweriana Collector, a publication of the National Association Brewreiana Advertising, volume 130.