Before the Ban Part 5 - Pre-Prohibition Baltimore Breweries - Jacob Seeger Brewery/Baltimore Brewing Company

Born in Reutlingen in the Kingdom of Wurtemburg in 1809, John “Jacob” Seeger emigrated to the United States when he was about 22 years old. Raised by a father who was an accomplished silver-plater in what became part of the German Empire, Seeger followed in his patriarch’s vocation.

Upon arrival in the city of Baltimore in 1831, Seeger accepted a position as an apprentice in the craft.

Saving his earnings over the next 3 years, Seeger amassed enough of his money to open his own proprietorship. Establishing his business on German Street in 1834, Seeger quickly achieved a reputation for being a competent and quality plater.

In 1835 Seeger married and started a family. For the next 20 years Seeger’s business prospered and flourished, and he fathered two daughters. The period was not without tragedy, however, as in 1845 his wife died. Five years later Seeger married a second time, and resumed his pursuit of fathering a family.

In 1854 Seeger diversified his business pursuits. Having witnessed first-hand the various successes of Baltimore’s local brewers, Seeger decided pursue the beer making business himself. With capital accrued over the years through the success of his silvering business, Seeger purchased property on the corner of Baltimore’s Frederick and Pratt Streets. There, on his acquired property, he constructed a new brewery with the goal of producing lager beer. Unlike other local brewers, Seeger was the first to brew lager beer in Baltimore.

And as was common for the era, Seeger’s brewery included a public beer garden where his customers could congregate, eat, and drink. Using his storefront on German Street as the brewery’s business office, Seeger combined the management duties of both his enterprises. Branded under the names Crystal Brewage, Seeger’s, and Jacob Estate, his brews quickly became a local favorite. Locals developed a taste for his beverage, and soon Seeger realized hefty profits from this second venture.

Jacob Seeger's Lager Beer Brewery 1869

By 1866 Seeger abandoned his silver-plating business altogether, selling off his interest in the craft.

No longer a distraction, Seeger was thus enabled to fully focus his attention on brewing, which, at this point, had become a local economic powerhouse. Paul August, a son from his second marriage, joined the business. Sometime in 1876 Seeger developed health problems which rendered him immobile. Despite his health challenges, he continued running the business, with his son working by his side. In 1878 they sold 10,005 barrels of beer and in 1879 7,362 barrels of beer.

Advertisement 1877

Advertisement 1879

In 1888 Seeger's brewing company changed monikers and was renamed Baltimore Brewing Co. Then again, in 1899 the brewery was consolidated into the Maryland Brewing Company with most of the independent breweries in Baltimore, namely George Bauernschmidt Brewing Company, George Brehm, Wehr, Hobelmann & Gotlieb Co., National Brewing Co., Eigenbrot Brewing Co., Darley Park Brewery, Bayview Brewery, Mount Brewery, Vonderhorst Brewing Co., Germania Brewing Co., George Gunther Sr. Co., Oriental Brewing Co., S. Helldorfer's Sons, John F. Weissner & Bro., and John B. Berger.

Advertisement 1887

Initialy renamed the Baltimore Brewery of the Maryland Brewing Company, it was in excess of brewing needs for the new consolidated company, the brewery was closed and never reopened. Nothing survives of the brewery today.

Advertisement 1890

Baltimore Brewing Company 1890

2311 West Pratt Street

Baltimore Brewing Company 1901

 2311 West Pratt Street 

closed by 1901

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