Jackson Brewing Company (New Orleans) facts for kids
Jackson Brewery, 1976
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| Industry | Alcoholic beverage |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1890 |
| Defunct | 1974 |
| Headquarters | New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| Products | Beer |
The Jackson Brewing Company, also known as Jackson Brewery, was a famous company in New Orleans. It made a popular drink called Jax beer. The brewery operated for many years, from 1890 until 1974. People often called it the Jax Brewery.
At one point, it was the biggest brewery in the entire Southern United States. Today, the old brewery building is a special landmark in New Orleans' French Quarter. It now has restaurants, homes, and fun places to visit. Since 2023, the radio station WWOZ has also had its studios there.
Contents
A Look Back: The Brewery's Story
A man named Lawrence Fabacher started the brewery in 1890. It was first called Jackson Bohemian Brewery. Later, its name changed to Jax Beer, and then to Jackson Brewing Company. The name honored Andrew Jackson and Jackson Square.
The company quickly grew into a very important brewery in the region. It was one of only two breweries in New Orleans that survived a time called Prohibition. During Prohibition, it was illegal to make or sell alcoholic drinks in the U.S.
Jax Beer: A Name Dispute
In 1935, the Jackson Brewing Company had a problem. Another company, Jacksonville Brewing Company, also used the "Jax Beer" name. Both companies wanted to use the name for their products.
They reached an agreement to solve this problem. The Jacksonville company could sell Jax beer only in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. The Jackson Brewing Company could sell its Jax beer in states to the west.
Growth and Changes
The Jackson Brewing Company grew even more in the 1940s. More people wanted their beer, so the company expanded. But in the 1950s, bigger national breweries started to compete.
In 1954, Jackson Brewing Company bought the full rights to the Jax trademark. This meant they were the only company that could use the name. The Jacksonville company stopped making beer after this. This big move made Jackson Brewing the 10th largest brewery in the U.S. It was still the largest in the South.
The End of an Era
By 1974, the Jackson Brewing Company faced financial difficulties. Another company, Pearl Brewing Company, bought it. Pearl Brewing continued to make Jax Beer until 1984. Then, Pabst Brewing Company bought Pearl Brewing. After that, Jax Beer started to use Pabst's brand name.
The old brewery building is still a famous spot in New Orleans. After it stopped making beer, the building was bought and changed. It became a place with homes, shops, and restaurants, which it still is today.
