RARE SALINAS BREWING COMPANY TRADE CARD with FACTORY VIGNETTE

The Salinas Brewing Company and its successors, the Salinas Brewing and Ice Co., and Monterey Brewing Co. were all evolutions of Salinas' first brewing enterprise established in 1874. The "Salinas Brewery" was started by Lurz & Hagner, and had an initial output of about 240 barrels annually. The brewery was located on Castroville St., and operated under their management for three years, when in 1877 Hagner's half share was bought out by German immigrant, John H. Menke. 

In December 1907, the corporation increased the capital stock to $100,000 for their new brewery, which included a 30 ton ice machine and a bottling shop that could handle the new crown top bottles. By the spring of '08 the production resumed in a five story, brick structure located in central Salinas at 347 No. Main Street.. The new brewery towered over  the other buildings of the city, and remained the tallest structure in Salinas until well into the '40s.  (That is the building shown on the card)