The brewery on Hone St near the corner of German St was probably established prior to 1866 by William Bertsche. By 1879, the company was owned by Charles Staudacher. In 1881 the business was purchased by the Jacob Hoffmann Brewing Company of New York City. Philip Hoffmann, son of Jacob, was sent to Kingston as manager of the brewery.
"Monopol" lager beer was manufactured and in 1885 the business was called Philip Hoffmann's Rondout Oriental Brewery. The company was incorporated in 1887.
"Extra Wiener", "Saazer", "Salvator", "Culmbacher" and "Lager Beer" were some other beers and ales that the Hoffmann brewery advertised.
The Hoffmann brewery listed their address as 46 Hone St Rondout.
By 1899, the Oriental Hotel was built on a bluff overlooking Kingston Point park. It was very popular during the summer months. Since there was no alcoholic beverages allowed in the Kingston Point Park... (as per the owner, Samuel Coykendall)... this provided the men of the families a place to imbide, if they wished, while their wives and children enjoyed the amusements at the park. The park was a landing for the Dayliners that arrived to Kingston from New York City.
By 1902 the Jacob Hoffmann Brewery was listed in the City of Kingston Directory as a distruting warehouse. So it appears that local brewing of beer, ales and porter ales at that site ceased.
The Oriental Hotel at Kingston Point burned down on the evening of March 31st 1922. The cause of the fire was listed as " of incendiary origin". The hotel was closed during the winter months and was unoccupied at the time of the fire.
On April 23rd 1926, "The Kingston Freeman & Journal" reported that the brewery building was raided by Revenue Agents and the Kingston Police. The cellars under the old brewery extended into the ground for a depth of 75 feet. The agents required searchlights to inspect the cellars which extended the full length of the building and tunneled deeply underground. In this sub-cellar was found a 500 gallon still to make whiskey. This equipment was later destroyed. The old brewery had not been operation for fully 30 years (1896) and some of the old vats and tanks showed that they had not been used in years. Three men involved in this illegal operation were arrested and fined.
The buildings were vacant by 1931 and demolished about 1940.
Sources: Edwin Ford (City of Kingston Historian), City of Kingston Directories
I am always looking to add to my collection of Jacob Hoffmann Breweriana. If you have anything from Hoffmann for sale and are willing to part with, please let me know, I can give it a good home.
Oriental Brewery Bill of Lading
Here's an advertising
Litho by Jacob Hoffmann (46 Hone St Rondout is on the table edge under the cigar). this litho was put out by Ottoman of New York City.
Thank you for visiting my page at Angelfire. If you have any other information in regards to this brewery or any others from Kingston or Rondout NY, I would greatly appreciate the help. Please me visit again!
I'm continually adding new info and photos to this page, so please check back frequently!!!
