File:North Pacific Brewery, Columbia and 1st Ave, Seattle, 1874 (MOHAI 9514).jpg

Commercial beer brewing began in Seattle around 1854 when Antonio B. Rabbeson founded Washington Brewery; by the spring of 1864 he was advertising his porter, beer, and cream ales. On February 1, 1865, Martin Schmieg and Joseph Butterfield announced their new North Pacific Brewery, on the southwest corner of Columbia Street and Front Street (now First Avenue)" Butterfield later sold his share, and Schmieg partnered with Amos Brown. In about 1876, Brown sold his share to Schmieg, who then returned to Germany for a time, leaving the company in the hands of its beer wagon driver, August Mehlhorn. When Schmieg failed to return, Mehlhorn bought the company and took on a new partner. Picht & Mehlhorn manufactured steam beer, ale, porter and lager beer for eight years, selling 1,804 barrels in 1878. This image shows the North Pacific Brewery, with two women on the balcony, and men and horses below.

Caption information source: "Washington Beer: A Heady History of Evergreen State Brewing" by Michael F. Rizzo, 2016: American Palate, Charleston, SC

• Subjects (LCTGM): Business districts--Washington (State)--Seattle; Brewing industry--Washington (State)--Seattle