Posted 13 years ago
dublinj
(10 items)
Ottawa Hop Beer Bottle Crate
Ottawa Brewing Association, Ottawa, Ill (1915-1920)
Crate made by the D.M. Goodwillie Co., Chicago, Ill Pat. Sept. 1919
Inside the mfr. stamp says not to be sold under penalty of law.
Outside under the Ottawa Hop logo, it says "Absolutely Non-Intoxicating".
Picked this up at auction, from a local dealer and estate auctioneer in my hometown. I can't find much online about the brewer.
I'm intrigued about the non-intoxicating claim. Researching prohibition, which came about the time this box was used, I found that in 1918 only beverages above a certain alcohol content were illegal. Obviously Prohibition shut down the Ottawa Brewing Association in 1920. I'd love to get some original bottles to fill this guy with. If anyone has any or any other info I'd appreciate it. Pretty cool finding something like this from my hometown, in my hometown!Both sides of my family are and have been bar owners.
Nice item and congratulations. I will keep my eyes open for that type bottle, but your best bet will be to scour your local area for the bottles. It may have been a local company that really did not ship product too far away. It sounds like some of the non-alcoholic beverages sold today. I did not realize that it went that far back. Prohibition probably factored in on the non intoxicating claims .
Thanks! I've come across many Shabbona Brew bottles which this brewer also made. It was a local brewer. Going to search this weekend and hit up some of the old taverns.