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                                                                  BREWERIES.

The brewing business was carried on at Reading before 1770, but the beer was light in character, limited in quantity and wholly for local consumption.  It was not carried on extensively until after 1847.

Lauer Brewery.-In 1823 George Lauer, a German from Bavaria, settled at Womelsdorf in Berks county, and began brewing beer and ale at that place.  He removed to Reading in 1826, and established a brewery at Third and Chestnut streets, which he operated until 1835, when his son Frederick became the proprietor.  The plant was enlarged gradually, and in 1866 an additional plant was started at Third and Elm streets.  Mr. Lauer was a very enterprising man and showed much interest in the development of Reading.  He died in 1883, and his sons, Frank P. and George F., succeeded him.  The plants together constitute the largest brewing establishment at Reading.  They are operated by the Lauer Brewing Co.  An ice plant is carried on in connection with the brewery which produces about 50 tons of ice daily for local consumption.  Total annual production of beer, porter and ale is 60,000 barrels, which are mostly delivered to customers at Reading, some being forwarded to Schuylkill county.  Employees, 50.  Investment, $500,000.

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Deppen's Brewery.-Nicholas A. Felix started a brewery in 1845 at Tenth and Chestnut streets, naming it “Spring Garden,” for manufacturing beer, porter and ale, and conducted the same until his decease in 1874.  The estate carried on the business for five years when Dr. William P. Deppen, his son-in-law, became the owner and he has operated the plant until now.

Keystone Brewery.-In 1850 Aaron D. Hoyer erected a brewery on Fourth near Elm street and he and his brother Joseph carried it on for some years.  In 1877 Samuel C. Keller became the owner and sfter conducting it for seven years, Otto Eyring associated with him, trading as Keller & Eyring.  The brewery is now operated by John Roehrich and George J. Raab.  Employees 12; product, 9000 barrels of beer and porter which are sold in Reading and vicinity.

Barbey's Brewery.-Peter Barbey emigrated from Bavaria, Germany, to Philadelphia in 1857, and settled at Reading in 1859.  In 1861 he started in the brewing business, establishing his plant at River and Hockley streets in 1869.  His son John became a partner in 1880, the firm trading as P. Barbey & Son.  The father died in 1897.  The annual product of the brewery is 50,000 barrels of beer and porter, 75,000 bushels of malt, and 18,000 tons of ice, all delivered to customers at Reading and vicinity.  Employees, 35.

Reading Brewing Co.-Henry S. Eckert, Jesse G. Hawley, Wm. Nolan, Lewis Kremp, Philip Bissinger and several others organized and incorporated the Reading Brewing Co., in 1886 with a capital of $150,000.  They established a superior plant on Ninth below Laurel street and have carried on the business until now.  Employees 20; annual product 25,000 barrels, which are disposed of mostly to local customers, some being shipped to Surrounding counties.  Officers: Philip Bissinger, pres., Ferdinand Winter, treas., D. A. Wiegner, sec.

Stockers's Brewery.-John C. Stocker and John Roehrich began brewing in 1885 in Schuylkill county.  They removed their business to Reading in 1891, establishing a plant at the northern boundary opposite the Fair Grounds.  Mr. Roehrich retired from the firm in 1897.  Employees, 12; product, 7000 barrels of beer and porter, which are delivered to local customers.

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Muhlenberg Brewery.-Simpson Becker, N. G. Rothermel, H. J. Seidel and others organized a brewing company in 1895 and had the same incorporated with a capita of $75,000 under the name of Muhlenberg Brewing Co.  They established their plant on the Kutztown road, within a mile beyond the northern limits of Reading.  Employees, 12; product, 9,000 barrels of beer and porter which are delivered to customers in Berks and adjoining counties.

                                                       BOTTLING WORKS.

Fett & Son.-John Fehr was engaged in the bottling business on Cherry street below Seventh for some years previous to 1855, when he sold out to Herman Floto who removed the establishment to Seventh street above Franklin.  He increased the business, added a brewery and continued until 1864, when he sold out to Christian Shick and John H. Fett.  In 1865, they transferred the works to 31 and 35 North Ninth street.  In 1887 Mr. Schick retired.  Mr. Fett conducted the business two years, and then introduced his son John as a partner; who from that time have been trading as J. H. Fett & Son.  They have 4 teams, and their trade extends throughout Berks County.  During the summer season they bottle weekly about 30 barrels and manufacture 500 dozen bottles of sarsaparilla, ginger ale, soda, etc.  Investment, $20,000; annual wages, $5,000.

Fries & Croessant.-G. William Fries and Herman J. Croessant began at 640 Cherry street in 1882.  After remaining there a year, they removed to 215 Moss street.  They employ 7 hands and 3 teams; bottle 20 barrels of beer, porter, etc., weekly.  Their trade is local.  Investment, $12,000; annual business $10,000.

Fisher.-Adam W. Fisher started at 114 Penn street in 1887 with three hands, and bottled 10 barrels of beer, porter, ale, etc., weekly.  He has continued the business until now, bottling the same quantity.  Investment, $6,000.

Excelsior.-T. J. Fessler and S. G. Dunkelberger, trading as Excelsior Bottling Co., began in 1894 at 37 Maple street.  They bottle weekly from 20 to 25 barrels of beer, porter and brown-stout, besides manufacturing 2,000 dozen bottles of ginger-ale, seltzer and carbonated drinks.  Employees, 8; teams, 5; investment, $17,000; annual business, $25,000; wages, $2,800.

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Reading.-Frank B. Hay began bottling beer, porter and ale in 1895 at Fifth and Washington streets, trading as the Reading Bottling Works.  Employees, 4 to 8; investment, $14,000; trade throughout Eastern Pennsylvania.

Schaufert.-Jacob Schaufert started a bottling works on Madison avenue near Elm April 1, 1898.  He employs 4 hands and bottles 10 barrels of beer, porter, &c., weekly, which are delivered to customers in Reading and the Surrounding districts.