Christian Heurich Brewing Company


Company Names, addresses, dates1:
  Heurich & Ritter, Washington DC (1872-1873)
  Christian Heurich, 1229 20TH St, Washington DC (1873-1890)
  Ch. Heurich Brewing Co, 1229 20TH St (1890-1896)
  Ch. Heurich Brewing Co, 25TH, 26TH, O & Water Streets, NW, Washington DC (1896-1917)
  Ch. Heurich Brewing Co, 25TH, 26TH, O & Water Streets, NW, Washington DC (1933-1956)

Company Names, addresses, dates2:
  Christian Heurich, 1229 20TH St NW, Washington DC (1875-1880)
  Christian Heurich, 1229-1235 20TH St NW, Washington DC (1881-1891)
  Ch. Heurich Brewing Co, 1223-1235 20TH St NW, Washington DC (1892-1895)
  Ch. Heurich Brewing Co, 25TH, 26TH, D & Water Streets, NW Washington DC (1896-1917,1926,1933-1961)
  Ch. Heurich Brewing Co, 1416 P Street NW, Washington DC (1962)


Notes:
Above I list the company names, addresses and dates from both American Breweries II1 as well as from my own digging through city directories2.
Company lasted from 1872 to 1956. Christian Heurich brewed beer until the age of 102. His Grandson continued the tradition and brewed beer until recently (Foggy Bottom Ale/Lager) . Read about Christian Heurich's house at the brewmasters castle website .
There are many other web sites that are loaded with information about Christian Heurich & his brewery, such as "Christian Heurich," Immigrant Entrepreneurship, 2012, Immigrant Entrepreneurship. 25 Mar 2012 .

Bottles:

heurich_1 (enlarge) This is a 9", machine-made, amber crown-top bottle, embossed:
front: WASHINGTON, D.C. / TRADE MARK / ('H' in hops) / CHR. HEURICH / BREWING CO.
back: 2 REGISTERED
heurich_3 (enlarge) This is a 9", machine-made, amber crown-top bottle, embossed:
front: CHR. HEURICH / REGISTERED
back: BREWING CO.
base: CHR. HEURICH / BREWING CO / WASHINGTON DC
heurich_6 (enlarge) This is a 9.5", machine-made, aqua crown-top bottle, embossed:
front: CHR. HEURICH / REGISTERED
back: BREWING CO. / 4
base: CHR. HEURICH / BREWING CO / WASHINGTON DC
heurich_4 (enlarge) This is a 9.2", machine-made, unembossed aqua crown-top bottle. The label is somewhat intact, and says:
top label: CHR. HEURICH / LAGER BEER
main label: TAX PAID AT THE RATE PRESCRIBED BY INTERNAL REVENUE LAW / CHR. HEURICH / BREWING CO / LAGER BEER / Washington, D.C./ PERMINT / No. U 404 / 12 / FLUID OZS. / DOES NOT CONTAIN ... PER CENTUM OF ALCOHOL BY VOLUME
heurich_05 (enlarge) The bottle on the right is still full! It is a 7.5" amber machine-made crown top bottle with label intact. Left bottle is 9.5" with the same label. The label has a map of DC showing the Heurich brewery, and says:
top label: Old Georgetown / PREMIUM QUALITY
main label: Old / Georgetown / PREMIUM QUALITY / BEER / CHRISTIAN HEURICH BREWING CO / WASHINGTON DC
heurich_7 (enlarge) This is a 7" amber machine-made crown top bottle with label semi-intact. Label says:
label: CONT. 12 FL. OZS. / SENATE / BEER / CHR. HEURICH / BREWING CO. / WASHINGTON, D.C. / INTERNAL / REVENUE / TAX PAID
heurich_08 (enlarge) This is a 9.5" amber machine-made crown top bottle with labels. Labels say:
small label on neck: HEURICH's 75TH YEAR
large label: CONT. 12 FL. OZS. / SENATE / BEER / CHR. HEURICH / BREWING CO. / WASHINGTON, D.C. / INTERNAL / REVENUE / TAX PAID / (C) 1939
heurich_08a (enlarge) This shows the above bottle again, along with 2 other variations - they all have different labels on the neck. The labels say:
left bottle neck label: LIGHT / Extra Fine / BEER
middle bottle neck label: HEURICH's 75TH YEAR
right bottle neck label: SENATE
heurich_09 (enlarge) This is a 9.5" amber machine-made crown top bottle with labels. Labels say:
small label on shoulder: AN EXCLUSIVE / MALT & HOP / BREW.
large label: Chr. Heurich / BREWING CO. / Maerzen / WASHINGTON, D.C.
outside left circle on large label: SILVER MEDAL / AWARDED.
inside left circle on large label: REPUBLIQUE / FRANCAISE
outside right circle on large label: FOR PURITY Y EXCELLENCE / PARIS EXPOSITION 1900.
inside right circle on large label: EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE INTERNATIONALE / HEURICH



Bottles from other branches:
heurich_2 (enlarge) This is an 8.75", BIM, clear blob-top bottle embossed:
front: NORFOLK BRANCH / TRADE MARK / ('H' in hops) / CHR. HEURICH / BREWING CO.
back: REGISTERED
base: H
heurich_14 (enlarge) This bottle is embossed the same as the one above, but it is a crown top. It's a 9.5", BIM, sun-colored-amethyst crown-top bottle embossed:
front: NORFOLK BRANCH / TRADE MARK / ('H' in hops) / CHR. HEURICH / BREWING CO.
back: REGISTERED
base: H
heurich_10 (enlarge) This is an 9", BIM, aqua crown-top bottle embossed:
oval pattern: CHR. HEURICH BREWING CO. / NORFOLK / BRANCH / NORFOLK, VA.
below oval pattern: REGISTERED
back: THIS BOTTLE / NOT TO BE SOLD
heurich_15 (enlarge) This is a 9.25", BIM, amber crown-top bottle embossed:
front: ('H' in hops leaves, inside of a double-diamond shape) / NORFOLK BRANCH
base: H
Nowhere on this bottle does it actually say "HEURICH", however the similarity to this bottle and other ones (such as the bottle 2 rows above) make it seem likely that it was indeed a Heurich bottle.
heurich_11 (enlarge) This is a 9", amber blob-top bottle, embossed:
front: BALTIMORE BRANCH / TRADE MARK / ('H' in hops) / CHR. HEURICH / BREWING CO.
back: 2 REGISTERED
heurich_12 (enlarge) Similar to the bottle above, this is a 9.5", aqua Baltimore-loop top bottle, embossed:
front: BALTIMORE BRANCH / TRADE MARK / ('H' in hops) / CHR. HEURICH / BREWING CO.
back: REGISTERED
heurich_13 (enlarge) This bottle is embossed the same as the one above, but it is a crown top. It's a 9.5" amber crown-top bottle, embossed:
front: BALTIMORE BRANCH / TRADE MARK / ('H' in hops) / CHR. HEURICH / BREWING CO.
back: REGISTERED / EHE CO A
base: 1 / 663


Heurich Signs:
This is an 11" by 24" cardboard sign. I was told by the antique dealer who sold it to me that it came from an old trolley car. sign_01 (enlarge)
Here's another trolley car sign, also 11" x 24". sign_02 (enlarge)
Here's a metal sign that is about 17" in diameter. I was told it was from the early 1900s, and was revised in the 1950's with the circle around "lager" to indicate it was the original lager beer brought back.
sign_04 (enlarge)
Here's another metal sign. It's about 3.5" by 11". sign_03 (enlarge)

Heurich Cans:

These are Heurich beer cans. Beer cans have been around since 1933 - these cans are probably from the 1950s. Many people collect beer cans, and many other Heurich cans exist. For more info on Heurich cans, see this web site.

This can is light yellow with brown, blue, white, black, and red. It says:
front inside a map of the Georgetown area: Old / Georgetown / PREMIUM QUALITY / BEER / CHRISTIAN HEURICH BREWING CO. / WASHINGTON, DC.
back: A pasturized beer / with / DRAFT BEER FLAVOR / In bottles and cans / or / Drawn from the Keg / OLD GEORGETOWN / has the same / DRAFT BEER FLAVOR / the same / OLD-TIME ON-TAP / TASTE / CONTENTS 12 FL. OZS.
sideways on back: TRADE MARK / AM. CAN CO. / KEGLINED / PATS 2064537 / 2259498-2178618
can_01 (enlarge)
This can is white with brown, blue and gold. It says:
front: CONTENTS 12 FLUID OUNCES / "250" / Senate / BEER / Flavor Brewed with the Heart of the Hops / CHR HEURICH BREWING CO - WASHINGTON, D.C.
sideways on back: TRADE MARK / AM. CAN CO. / KEGLINED / PATS 2064537 / 2259498-2178618 / Extra Fine (picture of eagle) Light Beer
can_02 (enlarge)
This can is white with brown, blue and gold. It says:
front: CONTENTS 12 FLUID OUNCES / TRADE MARK (hops leaf with "H")/ Senate / BEER / (gold medals) / INTERNAL REVENUE TAX PAID
left side: PACKAGED AT THE BREWERY
right side: CHR. HEURHICH / BREWING CO. / WASHINGTON, D.C.
sideways on back: TRADE MARK / AM. CAN CO. / KEGLINED / PATS 1625229 2064537 / OTHERS PENDING
can_03 (enlarge)
This badly rusted can is orange with white, black and gold. It says:
front: CHR HEURICH'S / ORIGINAL / LAGER BEER
front in small letters: This beer is brewed to the original gold medal form- / ula developed by my father, Christian Heurich during his / more than 80 years as a Brewer in Europe and America. / Christian Heurich Jr.
back: (same as the front)
can_04 (enlarge)

Wooden Beer Crates:
This is a wooden beer crate. It has been re-finished, although I wonder if it really was a Heurich crate or just a refinished crate that somebody stamped with the Heurich name?
crate_1 (enlarge)
This is another wooden beer crate. crate_2 (enlarge)

Heurich Bottle Caps:
These are Heurich bottle caps. From left-to-right, they are:
"Old Georgetown BEER",
"CHR.HEURICH BRG.CO. / Maerzen / WASHINGTON DC",
"Senate", and
"CHR HEURICH'S / ORIGINAL"
caps_1 (enlarge)
Another bottle cap. This one is red & white, and says:
CHR. HEURICH BREWING CO. / HOME / BREW / BEER / WASHINGTON, D.C.
cap_02 (enlarge)
Another bottle cap. This one is dark blue on grey, and simply says:
SENATE
cap_03 (enlarge)
This is Ceramic Stopper. It was in a blob top bottle that was embossed with "BALTIMORE BRANCH CHR HEURICH BREWING CO". The stopper says: "CHR. HEURICH BREW. CO. WASHINGTON, D.C." and has an "H" inside of a hops leaf, which is in turn inside of a diamond. The diamond seems to be filled in with yellow, although the color is very faded. ceramic_top_01 (enlarge)

Heurich Beer Bottle Labels:
This is a red on white label marked:
label: MAERZEN / BEER / Guaranteed by Chr. Heurich Brewing Co. Under Food and Drugs Act, June 30th 1906. / SERIAL NO 2801.
Go-withs8 (enlarge)
This is a blue on white label marked:
label: LAGER / BEER / Guaranteed by Chr. Heurich Brewing Co. Under Food and Drugs Act, June 30th 1906 SERIAL NO 2801.
label_02 (enlarge)
This is a Red, Black, yellow and grey label marked:
small label: AN EXLUSIVE / MALT & HOP / BREW
large label: Chr Heurich / BREWING CO. / Maerzen / WASHINGTON, D.C.
large label in small letters: SILVER MEDAL / AWARDED / FOR PURITY & EXCELLENCE / PARIS EXPOSITION 1900
label_03 (enlarge)
I've been told that this is a reproduction (xerox copy). It is a black on pink label marked:
label: Chr Heurich / BREWING CO. / WASHINGTON, D.C. / BOCK BEER / For the 1934 Spring Season / PRE-WAR STRENGTH
In small letters: TAX PAID AT THE RATE PRESCRIBED BY INTERNAL REVENUE LAW / PERMIT NO U404 / 12 FLUID OZS
label_04 (enlarge)
This is a red, white, blue, and brown label with a picture of 2 goats, marked:
label: 12 FLUID OZS. / Senate / BOCK / BEER / CHR. HEURICH BREWING CO. / WASHINGTON, D.C. / INTERNAL REVENUE TAX PAID
label_05 (enlarge)
This is similar to the label above, except it says "HEURICH" instead of "Senate". It's a red, white, blue, and brown label with a picture of 2 goats, marked:
label: 12 FLUID OZS. / HEURICH / BOCK / BEER / CHR. HEURICH BREWING CO. / WASHINGTON, D.C. / INTERNAL REVENUE TAX PAID
label_13 (enlarge)
This is a red, white, black, and gold label marked:
label: CHR. HEURICH's / ORIGINAL / LAGER BEER
In small letters: This beer is brewed to the original goal medal winning formula developed / by my father, Christain Heurich, during his more than 80 years as a / Brewer in Europe and America. Christian Heurich Jr.
label_06 (enlarge)
This is a black, white, and orange label marked:
label: CHR. HEURICH / BREWING CO. / LAGER BEER / Washington, D.C.
In small letters: TAX PAID AT THE RATE PRESCRIBED BY INTERNAL REVENUE LAW / PERMIT No. U 404 / 12 FLUID OZS.
label_07 (enlarge)
This is a black, white, and gray label marked:
label: Senate / CHR. / HEURICH / BREWING CO. / WASHINGTON, D.C. / Special Brewing for Family and Hotel Trade
In small letters: SILVER MEDAL AWARDED / FOR PURITY & EXCELLENCE PARIS EXPOSITION 1900
label_08 (enlarge)
This is a black, blue, gold and red label marked:
label: 12 FL. OZS. / Senate / BEER / CHR. HEURICH / BREWING CO. / WASHINGTON, D.C.
In small letters: SILVER MEDAL AWARDED / FOR PURITY & EXCELLENCE LIEGE EXPOSITION 1905 / INTERNAL REVENUE / TAX PAID
label_16 (enlarge)
This is a black, white, blue and red label marked:
label: CONT. 12 FL. OZS. / Senate / BEER / CHR. HEURICH / BREWING CO. / WASHINGTON, D.C.
In small letters: SILVER MEDAL AWARDED / FOR PURITY & EXCELLENCE LIEGE EXPOSITION 1905 / INTERNAL REVENUE / TAX PAID / (C) 1936 / C.H.B.Co.
label_09 (enlarge)
This is a silver, white, blue and red label marked:
label: CONT. 12 FL. OZS. / Senate / BEER / CHR. HEURICH / BREWING CO. / WASHINGTON, D.C.
In small letters: SILVER MEDAL AWARDED / FOR PURITY & EXCELLENCE LIEGE EXPOSITION 1905 / INTERNAL REVENUE / TAX PAID / (C) 1939 / C.H.B.Co.
label_14 (enlarge)
This is a brown, white, red and gold label marked:
label: CONT. 12 FL. OZS. / Senate / Ale / CHR. HEURICH / BREWING CO. / WASHINGTON, D.C.
In small letters: SILVER MEDAL AWARDED / FOR PURITY & EXCELLENCE LIEGE EXPOSITION 1905 / INTERNAL REVENUE / TAX PAID / (C) 1940 / C.H.B.Co.
label_10 (enlarge)
This is a blue, gold, and brown on white label marked:
label: INTERNAL REVENUE TAX PAID CONTENTS 12 FLUID OUNCES / Senate / BEER / Chr. Heurich / Brewing Co. / Washington, D.C.
label_15 (enlarge)
This is a black, white, red and brown label marked:
label: QUALITY / HOME / BREW / BEER / BREWERY BOTTLED / CONTENTS 12 FL. OZS. / CHR. HEURICH BREWING CO. / WASHINGTON, D.C. / INTERNAL REV / TAX PAID
label_11 (enlarge)
This is a black, white, gren and gold label marked:
label: Heurich / CHAMPEER / TRADE MARK / Sparkling Malt Liquor / DRY / BREWED AND BOTTLE BY / CHRISTIAN HEURICH BREWING CO. / WASHINGTON, D.C. / DRY / (C) 1949
Left side: A product of the only brewery located in Washington, / D.C> the seat of the greatest Capitol in the world. / This superbly different brew is produced by one of / the oldest and most skilled breweries in America. / CONTENTS, 8 FLUID OZS. * INTERNAL REVENUE TAX PAID *
Right side: Christian Heurich was a brewer for more than 80 / hears. He lived to be over 102 (1832 to 1945). For very / special occaisions he would delight in servig a private / malt liquor, which he affectionately called his / CHapagne Beer (HENCE THE NAME CHAMPEER). It is / with great pride that we offer this superbly different / brew to discriminating people all over the world.
label_12 (enlarge)

Heurich Coasters:
These are Heurich beer coasters.
The top one is shiney foil, and says "Senate / BEER / ALE".
The middle-left one says "SENATE / BEER-ALE".
The middle-right one says "SENATE / BEER".
The bottom left one says "Old / Georgetown / THE FINEST GLASS OF BEER / YOU EVER TASTED".
The bottom right one says "Old Georgetown / BEER / Presents / WASHINGTON SENATORS" and resembles a baseball.
coasters_1 (enlarge)

Heurich Bottle/Can Openers:
These are "church key" type can and bottle openers.
Top one says "CHR. HEURICH/ BREWING CO. / SENATE / WASH. / D.C.".
Middle one says "Old Georgetown / PREMIUM QUALITY BEER".
Bottom one says "CHR. HEURICH's / ORIGINAL / LAGER / BEER".
openers_1 (enlarge)
These are more unusual style bottle openers (front & back views shown, although which side is designated as the "front" was arbitrary).
Top one says "DRINK SENATE BEER" on one side, and "CHR. HEURICH CO. WASHINGTON DC" on the other side.
Bottom one says "KEY TO / MAERZEN / SENATE" on one side and "HEURICH BEERS / MEDALS / SILVER-PARIS / GOLD-LIEGE" on the other side.
openers_2 (enlarge)
This bottle opener says:
FRONT: DRINK SENATE BEER (VAUGHN/CHICAGO)
REAR: FAMOUS FOR QUALITY SINCE 1873
openers_3 (enlarge)

Heurich Calendars:
This is a 1941 calendar. It says:
upper left: "SAMUEL S. VACCHIANNO / DISTRIBUTOR / LA PLATA / MARYLAND
upper right: Senate / BEER - Ale / CHR. HEURICH BREWING CO. / WASHINGTON, D.C.
calendar_1941 (enlarge)

Other Heurich Stuff:
This is a pre-prohibition 13 1/4" x 16 1/4" tin beer tray, with a nice picture of the brewery. Too bad the paint's peeling. Go-withs3 (enlarge)
This is from page 419 of a 1925 DC phone book. 1925 was during prohibition. I guess the brewery had to make a buck somehow Go-withs6 (enlarge)
These are matchbooks with advertisements for for Senate beer. The blue ones and yellow ones have at least 3 variations that I've noticed. You have to look close to spot the minor differences. matches_01 (enlarge)
This is a tankard with 4 mugs. The mugs say "C. Heurich" on the inside. tankard (enlarge)
This is a glass that commemorated Christian Heurich turning 100 years old on September 12th, 1942. He was still brewing beer at age 100. heurich_glass (enlarge)
This is a commemerative coin, celbrating 75 years of brewing. It says the following:
heads: CHRISTIAN HEURICH
tails: 75TH / YEAR OF / ACTIVE SERVICE / IN THE / AMERICAN / BREWING / INDUSTRY / 1940
coin_01 (enlarge)
This is a photo of the Harry J. Eisenbeiss saloon, which was at 1416 E Street NW from 1890 to 19102. There is a sign on the right for Heurich Lager Beer. There is also a sign on each side of the entrance for Chr. Heurich Lager. There appears to be a shoe store next door with the name C.Bonz. I don't know who any of the people in the picture are. eisenbeiss (enlarge)
This is an ashtray. The cigarettes are held by 3 flat metal "Senate beer bottles". Below the bottles it says "CHR. HEURICH BREWING CO. / WASHINGTON, D.C. / PATENT APPLIED FOR" ashtray_01 (enlarge)
These are Heurich pencils. Presumably they were given away as advertisements. They say "CHR. HEURICH BREWING CO. - SENATE BEER & ALE". pencils_1 (enlarge)
This is a mechanical pencil. It says "Drink Senate BEER / CHR. HEURICH BREWING CO.". The picture shows it from 2 different angles. pencils_02 (enlarge)
This is a cardboard carton that held a 6-pack of Heurich's Champeer. It is marked:
Front: Take Home / 6 bottles of / Champagne-Like / CHAMPEER / America's New / Taste Thrill
Sides: CHR. HEURICH BREWING CO. / WASHINGTON, D.C.
Back: We have purposely omitted advertising on three sides / because we do not ask you to carry advertising for us
Bottom: 6 / BOTTLES / FOR
champeer_02 (enlarge)
This is a pair of salt & pepper shakers, shaped like Senate beer bottles. The labels say:
label: Senate / BEER / CHR. HEURICH / BREWING CO. / WASHINGTON, D.C.
salt_01 (enlarge)
This is an unused letter with brewery letterhead. The says:
(top left) picture of brewery
(top right) TRADE MARK (red hops leaf with an "H" in the middle & washington monument in back) / CHR. HEURICH / BREWING CO.
(bottom left) BREWERS AND BOTTLERS OF Old Georgetown BEER AND Senate BEER
(bottom middle) SILVER MEDAL FOR PURITY & EXCELLENCE / (picture of 2 silver medals) / AWARDED PARIS EXPOSITION 1900
(bottom right) 26TH AND D STREETS, NORTHWEST / WASHINGTON 7, D.C. / REPUBLIC 1600
letter_01 (enlarge)


Olde Heurich Stuff:
Gary Heurich is a grandson of Christian Heurich. Gary started a microbrewery circa 1986 with the name "Olde Heurich". The microbrewery started up again circa 2003 and produced Foggy Bottom Ale and Lager. These are items from these newer microbreweries.
This is a vintage 1986 six-pack. The carton tells a breif story of the Christian Heurich legacy signed by Gary Heurich. Go-withs4 (enlarge)
This is an Olde Heurich coaster. It is marked:
front: SAY "HI-RICK!" / IT'S WASHINGTON's HOMETOWN BEER. / OLDE HEURICH
rear: SAY "HI-RICK!" / WHEN YOU'D LIKE TO KNOW JUST HOW GOOD / AN AMERICAN BEER CAN BE / OLDE HEURICH
coaster_02 (enlarge)
These are bottles of Foggy Bottom Lager and Foggy Bottom Ale. They were actually brewed in NY, but sold in the Washington DC area. foggy_01 (enlarge)



1 American Breweries II by Dale P. Van Wieren
2 Boyd's Directory for the District of Columbia (various years)



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This page last updated on September 15, 2012.