Fred Koch Brewery
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Fred Koch Brewery produced beer and ale in Dunkirk, New York from late 1880s to 1985. When closed, the brewery was located at 25 West Courtney Street in Dunkirk, New York
[edit] History
The Fred Koch Brewery is a successor brewery to the Metz Brewery which began producing beer ca. 1870 at 13/15 West Courtney in Dunkirk, New York. Fred Koch and Frank Werhle purchased the brewery ca. 1888, with Koch assuming control ca. 1896, after a disastrous fire which destroyed all but the cellars. The brewery became known as the Lake City Brewery, and Fred Koch became the sole owner. In 1911, Fred Koch Brewery, Inc was formed, and the brewery continued to produce beer and ale until prohibition in 1920.
During prohibition the brewery continued operation by producing "near-beer" under the Kobru label, along with various flavors of soda, and seltzer water. The brewery also bottled Orange Crush soda during this period.
In 1933, following the repeal of prohibition, the Fred Koch Brewery began to again produce beer and ale. Brands introduced after prohibition included Pale Lager Beer, Deer Run Ale, Koch's Holiday Beer, and Koch's Bock Beer. In 1938, Koch's Golden Anniversary Beer was introduced commemorating the 50th anniversary of the brewery. In the 1950's they introduced Light Lager Beer. In 1961 the Black Horse Ale brand was added to Koch's portfolio.
About 1973, Fred Koch Brewery was acquired by Vaux Breweries PLC of England. In 1976, at the close of the Erie Brewery Koch's picked up the Iroquois beer brand. Two years later Koch's picked up the Simon Pure brand at the close of the William Simon Brewery in Buffalo, New York
Despite the attempts to diversify by producing other well known regional brands, the brewery continued to struggle, and in 1985, was purchased by the Genesee Brewing Company. By 1990, production of Koch's Beer, Koch's Ale, Koch's Holiday Ale, and Deer Run Ale had been discontinued. Genesee continued to produce Black Horse Ale, which won a gold medal at the 1988 Great American Beer Festival, until 1992.
Koch's Golden Anniversary Beer ("Golden Annie"), and two spin-off beers, Koch's Golden Anniversary Light Beer, and Koch's Golden Anniversary Ice Beer continue to be produced by Genesee. Golden Annie won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 1987.
