Nov 25, 2017 — GREENWOOD, BC (BG) [Updated Dec 09, 2017]

Around the turn of the century, Greenwood was home to quite a number of different breweries, distilleries and bottling companies. We begin this series with one of the most prominent — the Elkhorn Brewery.

The earliest mention we find of Elkhorn Brewery is in the Boundary Creek Times of December 3, 1898_[1], which announced that "The Elkhorn brewery has received its inland revenue license and will begin brewing next week." The following month, the Times announced that "The Elkhorn brewery is vatting a large quantity of beer. The proprietors of the brewery do not intend placing any beer on the market until it is properly seasoned."_[2]

Thus began the Elkhorn's run in business, which lasted more than a decade and appears to have ended with a fire that devastated the brewery.

In the Christmas Eve edition of the Times, the Elkhorn was introduced to the residents of Greenwood:_[14]

ELKHORN BREWERY

Just immediately outside the city limits, on the Elkhorn mineral claim, is the Elkhorn Brewery. The proprietors, Messrs. Hartinger & Portmann, having confidence in the growth of the city, have erected large premises, so that their present plant can be increased when the trade demands. The cellar is 34 x 36, with the ice-house above. The brewery proper is 20 x 44, and there are also a large store-house, bottling house and dwelling. At present the brewery is turning out about fifteen barrels a day. A large portion of this is stored in the store room, where there are four casks, with a capacity of 25 barrels each, and another four, with a capacity of 15 barrels each. Next summer the company intend putting in a steam plant. Mr. Harlinger is an experienced brewer, having held important position in the east and also in Spokane.

Over the course of some twelve years in business, the Elkhorn Brewery operated under the management of three different sets of owners.

The original owners are named in a May 1899 Times report, which announced that a third party chose to take a pass on an option he held to buy-in to the brewery:_[3]

"The option secured by Capt. Von Hartmann on the Elkhorn Brewery has not been taken up, consequently the old proprietors — Messrs. Portmann & Hartinger — will continue the business. The beer placed on the market by this brewery is rapidly growing in favor, and is taking the place of beer brought from the outside."

Several months later, a legal notice was place in The Greenwood Miner_[4]

"Notice is hereby given that the partnership hitherto existing between Leutfried Portmann, Anton Portmann, and Frank Hartinger, brewers, Greenwood, trading under the firm name Elkhorn Brewery Co., is this day dissolved by mutual consent, Frank Hartinger retiring from the firm, and L. and A. Portmann continuing the business." [Oct 4, 1899]

The following day, another announcement_[5] heralded the success of the brewery:

"A first-class brewer has been secured from the coast for the Elkhorn brewery. He has had a long and successful experience in San Francisco and other coast cities and is sure to increase the high standard of the beer supplied by this popular brewery."

The Elkhorn Brewery, Greenwood
BC Archives, #H-03198

By its second year in business, the Elkhorn had become a popular enterprise in Greenwood, and was featured in a special Times showcase highlighting the town's most prominent businesses:_[6]

THE ELKHORN BREWERY
Portman & Portman, Proprietors, Greenwood

"In giving sketches of the representative business establishments of Greenwood, in connection with the business history of the city, it would ill become this work to not give to the Elkhorn Brewery more than a passing notice. It is located in the northern part of the city, and is supplied with the most complete and latest improved machinery for the brewing of the best quality of beer, which is considered by all who have tried it, to be equal, if not superior, to any beer made in Western Canada; being recognized for its richness of flavor and purity of quality and will always be found to be up to the standard.

This house has always held a prominent place among the brewers of the northwest, and with such a reputation it is no surprise that it has always been a favorite one. This establishment does an extensive business, and their trade extends over a large portion of the surrounding country besides their large city trade.

The history of this enterprise is an illustration of what can be accomplished by enterprise, activity and liberality, and it reflects great credit on the proprietors, Messrs. Portman & Portman, who are gentlemen of intelligence and progression, possessing sound business judgment and natural business talent, so that this establishment could not be otherwise than popular."

Boundary Creek Times — Dec 27, 1901, p. 2

Over the next six years, the Elkhorn continued operations, apparently with much success. They advertised steadily in local papers under the names 'Portman & Portman, Proprietors'. In the spring of 1906, they again announced improvements in their brewery operation:_[7]

"The Elkhorn brewery have been making some improvements in their equipment. An electric motor has been installed and a new tank has been erected. A power pump is now used to pump the liquors into the receptacles and a new copper brew kettle is under construction."

But this time, the capital improvements were apparently made in advance of selling the business, as indicated by an August 1906 society report_[8] that referred to Mr. and Mrs. L. Portmann, and John and Anthony Portmann, as the "late proprietors of the Elkhorn brewery".

The new owner, Mr. J. B. Docksteader, was noted for carrying on the Elkhorn's fine reputation, as mentioned here in the Times:_[9]

"The record that the Portmann Bros, made in the Elkhorn brewery is being maintained by the new owners. The quality of the product ranks with the best, the wise ones say. Strangers visiting the city have caught on to its merits and call for Elkhorn every time."

The new management's success was again heralded in a holiday edition:_[10]

"The Elkhorn brewery, which manufactures beer that is making Greenwood famous, has a line of brew this year expressley for the Christmas table."

Less then two years after Jock Docksteader purchased the Elkhorn, the entire brewery operation burned to the ground, as reported by the Times on April 24, 1908:_[11]

ELKHORN BREWERY BURNS

"On Saturday morning last, fire totally destroyed the buildings of the Elkhorn Brewery which has been for the last two years, the property of J. B. Docksteader. The fire was first noticed about 11 o'clock in the morning and by that time had an appreciable start. How it caught is not known. At the time the alarm came in, the fire team were at some street work and as the brewery is situated just across the road outside the city limits, the hose on the wagon was not long enough to reach from the hydrant to the fire.

However considerable assistance was given by the fire brigade and others and at least some of the stock was saved. The loss in all amounted to $30,000 on which there was only $5,000 insurance, a $5,000 policy having lapsed not long since. Mr. Docksteader's loss will be sincerely regretted by Everyone in the community as he has been making his business go on the right lines, improving his plant and equipment ever since he took over the brewery two years ago from Mr. Portman.

Mr. Docksteader is expecting some of his associates in the business here very shortly when his plans for rebuilding will be definitely formated. He wishes however to thank the fire brigade and others who assisted him for their help."

A week later, it was reported_[12] that J. B. Docksteader's brother, A. B. Docksteader had arrived from Nelson, spending the week with his brother, going over the fire loss.

Boundary Creek Times — Jul 23, 1909, p. 4

A month after the fire, it was announced_[13] that the Elkhorn's business would be temporarily serviced by the Phoenix Brewing Co.:

"Phoenix Brewing Co. will, after May 10, 1908, attend to all the business interests of the Elkhorn Brewing Co. and fill all orders with prompt attention. We hope to rebuild the Elkhorn Brewery shortly, but in the mean time will put in a first-class storage, and will be able to give good service in draught and bottled beer. Telephone No. 138 as heretofore."

From July 1908 through July 1909, regular advertisements were run in the Times, identifying Phoenix Brewery Co. as successors to the Elkhorn Brewery. Phoenix as apparently operating in Greenwood, out of the new storage facilities promised above.

While we find no footprint in the local papers, indicating that the Elkhorn Brewery re-established its business under its own name, we can be sure that at the least, the spirit of the brewery survived the devastation of fire, as evidenced by this wonderful photograph, from the July 1st, 1910 Times:

"The Elkhorn Brewery awarded first prize for the best float in the procession"
BC Archives, #C-07999

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Boundary Creek Times — Dec 03, 1898, p. 5
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170327

[2] Boundary Creek Times — Jan 25, 1899, p. 4
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170337

[3] Boundary Creek Times — May 03, 1899, p. 5
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170490

[4] The Greenwood Miner — Oct 20, 1899

[5] Boundary Creek Times — Oct 21, 1899, p. 8
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170611

[6] Greenwood Weekly Times — Oct 31, 1900, p. 8
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172860

[7] Boundary Creek Times — Mar 09, 1906, p. 8
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172017

[8] Boundary Creek Times — Aug 03, 1906, p. 5
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172611

[9] Boundary Creek Times — May 31, 1907, p. 4
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172706

[10] Boundary Creek Times — Dec 20, 1907, p. 4
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171912

[11] Boundary Creek Times — Apr 24, 1908, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171577

[12] Boundary Creek Times — May 01, 1908, p. 4
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171246

[13] Boundary Creek Times — May 15, 1908, p. 4
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171622

[14] Boundary Creek Times — Dec 24, 1898, p. 19
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171622