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Hi, Neighbor, Have a 'Gansett'!" Last Call For The Narragansett Brewery

Reprinted from the American Breweriana Journal .

Written by By Rick Redman and Virginia McKenna *.

Hi Neighbor, have a 'Gansett.'" That catchy singsong slogan hasn't been heard on local radio stations since the Narragansett Brewery at Cranston, Rhode Island, closed its doors on July 31, 1981. The song was not revived when Falstaff reopened the old plant - or appeared to reopen it - in January 1983. Earlier this year, the tired, decayed buildings that once housed a great company disappeared under the blade of bulldozers.

Brewing history started at the site in 1888 when these six local businessmen organized the Narragansett Brewing Company: John H. Fehlberg, Augustus F. Borchandt, Herman G. Possner, George M. Gerhard, Constand A. Moeller, and Jacob Wirth. George Wilhelm, formerly of Berlin, Germany, was the first brewmaster. With an authorized capitalization of $120,000 to $150,000 and funds from Fehlberg`s successful Butterine (a predecessor of margarine), a brick brewing house was built and the first beer produced in December 1890 using "pure artisan water." The local newspaper declared "The quality of the new product is excellent." The company was incorporated in January 1891.

The Narragansett Brewing company was situated on New Depot Avenue, Cranston Street and Garfield Avenue, outside the city of Providence, and alongside the tracks of the then New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. A spur track ran onto the property which also connected to the Rhode Island Company's trolley freight service. This convenience permitted quick shipping of incoming raw materials and outgoing beer.

A Narragansett ice delivery wagon during Prohibition.

In its first 20 years, the company invested $4 million to build about 30 buildings on its property. They included a large artificial ice plant, two cold storage basements, engine and boiler rooms, a barn and stable; blacksmith, paint and carpenter shops, cooperage and bottling departments. The ice plant enjoyed a large retail business with local residents and businesses. The brewery was also the only one in the area to ship in its own cars, with 75 horses, 45 wagons of various types, and electrically propelled and gasoline trucks. It also owned 25 refrigerator cars of improved design for shipping to distant points.

Business was good in that first decade. A work force of 150 men were busy in the brewery and shops or delivering lager and ales to customers. In 1891, the company brewed 27,997 barrels. Output was up to 114,182 barrels by 1901. In 1909, it was 207,992 barrels and, by the end of the next year, Narragansett's sales amounted to 225,000 barrels. The brewery stood firmly on the company's guarantee of pure ingredients, absolute cleanliness of manufacture and perfection of brew in every drop. Ninety percent of the barrels were sold in this country, mostly in the New England States. The other ten percent was exported to the West Indies, Turkey, Egypt and Panama.

In 1914, the company installed what was said to be the largest and undoubtedly the most modern and hygienic bottling plant in New England. At the end of tours, visitors were invited to the Bierstube Room on the second floor of the new bottling plant. Furnished in mission tile and decorated harmoniously with fittings of Dutch and German designs; no cozier or more comfortable Dutch Room can be imagined. A high built-in icebox held samples of Narragansett's choice products. A fireplace on one side of the room added a suggestion of comfort for cold days. During its first 23 years, the Narragansett Brewing Company grew from modest beginnings to the largest lager beer brewery in New England. Its growth from the start was steady; its progressive management and the excellent quality of its products made the company an industry leader. The brewery's capacity was up to 400,000 barrels in 1913. The officers at that time were Constand A. Moeller, president; vice-

president John H. Fehlberg, treasure...

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