During the late nineteenth century, Paterson was one of New Jersey’s leading brewing centers, ranking behind only Newark and Jersey City in beer production. The city’s growing population of English, German, Irish, and other European immigrants created a strong demand for lager beer, and several large breweries flourished before the onset of Prohibition in 1920.
Eagle Brewery / Shaw & Hinchliffe Brewery / Hinchliffe Brewing & Malting Co.
- Founded in 1861 by John Hinchliffe.
- Became Shaw, Hinchliffe & Penrose in 1867.
- Renamed Shaw & Hinchliffe in 1878.
- Reorganized in 1890 as the Hinchliffe Brewing & Malting Company.
- Located at Governor and Ann Streets.
- Produced approximately 75,000 barrels annually at its peak.
- The surviving buildings are among Paterson’s most important industrial landmarks.
Braun Brewery
- Founded in 1855 by Christian Braun.
- Located on Marshall Street.
- One of Paterson’s earliest successful German-owned breweries.
- Produced approximately 6,000 barrels annually before becoming part of Paterson Consolidated Brewing Company.
Sprattler & Mennell Brewery
- Established in 1870 by Gustav Sprattler and Christian Mennell.
- Originally brewed in Braun Brewery before moving into their own brewery on Marshall Street.
- Became one of the city’s largest breweries, producing nearly 40,000 barrels per year.
- Continued under Christian Mennell after Sprattler’s death.
Graham Brewery
- Founded in 1887 by James Graham.
- Located near the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad.
- Grew rapidly because of its modern equipment and railroad access.
Katz Brothers Brewery
- Founded in 1877 by Philip and Bernard Katz.
- Originally located at Godwin and Bridge Streets.
- Expanded rapidly through successful brewing operations before purchasing Burton Brewery.
Burton Brewery
- One of New Jersey’s largest breweries during the 1880s.
- Purchased by the Katz Brothers in 1882.
- Produced well-known brands including Burton XXX, Morlein’s Premium, and Canada Malt Ale.
- Annual production eventually exceeded 130,000 barrels.
Paterson Consolidated Brewing Company
In 1890, five breweries merged to form one of New Jersey’s largest brewing corporations:
- Braun Brewery
- Sprattler & Mennell Brewery
- Graham Brewery
- Katz Brothers Brewery
- Burton Brewery
The consolidation allowed the breweries to share equipment, distribution, and management. In 1899, the Hinchliffe interests also became closely associated with the organization, with members of the Hinchliffe family serving on its board.
Prohibition Ends an Era
The ratification of the 18th Amendment and the start of Prohibition in 1920 brought commercial brewing in Paterson to an abrupt end. None of the city’s major breweries regained their former prominence after Prohibition was repealed. Today, the Hinchliffe Brewery complex is the only substantial remnant of Paterson’s once-thriving brewing industry.