Christian Moerlein Brewing Co.


Company Names, addresses, dates1:
  Christian Moerlein Brewing Co, North Capitol, corner D Street (1896-1901)

Notes:
 The Christian Moerlein Brewing Company was established 1853 in Cincinnati Ohio.

This website is about the Washington DC branch of the that company. The beer was brewed in Cincinnati and sent via rail to Washington DC in barrels or kegs. This branch was responsible for bottling and distributing the beer in and around Washington DC.

The earliest mention I see of Christian Moerlein's beer in Washington DC newspapers was in 1886, when F.H. Finley advertised that he was the sole agent for bottling Moerlein's beer.2
The first mention of the Moerlien bottling plant at the corner of North Capitol and D Streets NW was in 1895, where Charles Fleishman (1861-1943)3 was listed as the manager.4
In later years, Fleishman was in charge of the Continental Brewing Co in Washington DC.
In 1896, Albert B. Schlotterbeck (1871-1917)5 was listed as the manager6.

About the Bottle below
The bottle shown below does not say Washington DC on it, and I have no actual proof that it's from Washington DC. But here's some evidence:
Bottles:
moerlein_01 book # (unlisted - since it does not say "Washington DC")
This is a 9" aqua baltimore-loop blob top bottle embossed:
oval slug plate: C. MOERLEIN BREWING CO / REGISTERED


1 Boyd's Directory for the District of Columbia (various years)
2 National Republican, 21-Jul-1886, p.3 (ad for "Cincinnati Beer")
3 Find-a-grave entry for Charles Fleishman
4 The Morning Times, 18-Aug-1895, p.8 (ad for Christian Moerlein beer)
5 Find-a-grave entry for Albert B. Schlotterbeck
6 The Washington Bee, 29-Aug-1896, p.8 (ad for Christian Moerlein beer)


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This page last updated on January 6, 2026.