News
20th February 1818
20th February 1818
Carl "Charles" Bierbauer was born in Einselthum, Pfalz, Bavaria. He was a master brewer, trained in Vienna and Munich. At age 30 he fled Bavaria for America after supporting an unsuccessful rebellion against the King. Following him were five of his six brothers.
They all settled in Oneida County, New York. In 1850 Charles, the oldest by 12 years, purchased Strom's brewery on Third Street in Utica and likely used it as training grounds for his siblings. Two years later he sold his stake to Peter Vidvard and built a new brewery on Edward Street.
Charles died on August 18th, 1885 at age 67 years. His brothers had long gone on to their own brewing careers but Charles's operation lived on under good management. Upon his death the firm was renamed the Columbia Brewery, then in 1888 it became the West End Brewery. The company was one of the few breweries to survive National Prohibition. In fact it exists to this day, more than 200 years after its founder's birth.
Carl "Charles" Bierbauer was born in Einselthum, Pfalz, Bavaria. He was a master brewer, trained in Vienna and Munich. At age 30 he fled Bavaria for America after supporting an unsuccessf... View More
1853 FoundedCharles Bierbauer 9/21 Edward Street
1885 Columbia Brewing Co.9/21 Edward Street
1888 West End Brewing Co. (Pre-Prohibition)9/21 Edward Street
Products
Export Pilsener Beer
1888-1920
Export Sparkling Ale
1888-1920
Logo
Begin: 1888 End 1920
1888 - 1920
Logo
Begin: 1888 End 1920
1888 - 1920
Photos
Circa: 1895
Circa: 1895

The West End Brewery in a late 19th century etching.
Advertisement
Circa: 1907
1920 Seneca Food Products Corp. Prohibition9/21 Edward Street
Products
Seneca Club Export Brew
1920-1933
Logo
Begin: 1933 End 1982
1933 - 1982
1933 West End Brewing Company, Inc. (Post-Prohibition)811 Edward Street
Products
Matt's Old English Brand Ale
1941-1950
Matt's Premium Lager
1933-1936
Utica Club Ale
1933-1950
Utica Club Amber Winter Ale
1933-1936
Utica Club Bock
1933-1936
Utica Club India Pale
1933-1936
Utica Club Light Beer
1933-1950
Utica Club Old English Brand Ale
1941-1950
Utica Club Pale Cream Ale
1933-1936
Utica Club Pilsener Beer
1933-1936
Utica Club Porter
1933-1936
Utica Club Private Stock Ale
1933-1936
Utica Club Sparkling Ale
1933-1950
Utica Club Wurzburger Beer
1933-1936
Utica Club XX Bock Beer
1933-1936
Utica Club XX Dry Bock Beer
1933-1950
Utica Club XX Dry Pilsener Lager Beer
1933-1950
Utica Club XX Dry Sparkling Ale
1933-1950
Utica Club XXX Dry Pale Cream Ale
1933-1950
Utica Club XXX Dry Porter
1933-1950
Utica Club XXX Dry Stock Ale
1933-1950
Utica Club XXX Porter
1933-1950
Utica Club XXX Stock Ale
1933-1936
Photos
Circa: 1933
Circa: 1933

Utica Club Pilsener Beer signs.
Advertisement
Circa: 1936
1937Capacity 250000 Barrels
Advertisement
1937
1939Capacity 200000 Barrels
Advertisement
1939
Photos
Circa: 1940
Circa: 1940

A Utica Club Beer delivery truck parked by the brewery loading dock.
Logo
Begin: 1949 End 1965
1949 - 1965
Advertisement
Begin: 1962 End 1965
1981 West End Brewing Co., dba F.X. Matt Brewing Co. 811 Edward Street
2014 ClosedF. X. Matt Brewing Company (DBA of West End Brewery)