The other, the Arizona Brewery, was located on Gurley
Street on the north Side of the Plaza, just steps from where you're
now enjoying the re-birth of the brewing tradition in Prescott.
Although the pieces of history are difficult to reconstruct, it
appears both breweries were in full swing during the latter half of
the 19th century, along with over 2,000 other breweries nationwide.
Early in the twentieth century the number of breweries
began to diminish. With the invention of "crown" bottle caps, and as
transportation and refrigeration improved, long-distance distribution
of beer became more common. Competition was fierce, and many hometown
breweries were gobbled up. It appears the Arizona Brewery fell prey to
the national trend and ceased to exist shortly after the turn of the
century. And, of course, all breweries became victims of Prohibition,
when the 18th Amendment was ratified in 1919 and went into effect in
1920. After prohibition, brewing once again became big business. In
1939 there were 605 brewing companies. However, the number of
breweries continued to decline over the next 40 years in direct
parallel to the development of the huge brewing companies. By 1974
there were only 55 breweries in operation. Considered by many the
genesis of the pub brewery concept, federal legislation legalized
homebrewing in 1979. The year 1983 saw the opening of the nation's
first brewpub since Prohibition, and there are now 936 operating
bewpubs in the U.S. John and Roxane Nielsen, proprietors of the
Prescott Brewing Company, are proud to have revived the tradition of
locally brewed beer in Prescott! Our finest quality brews are
handcrafted by our brewers in our on-site brewhouse, using only the
finest malted barley, world-class hops, yeast and water.
We use no preservatives, chemicals, or adjuncts in the
production of Prescott Brewing Company's hometown brews. They are then
cellared here in the basement and pumped directly to the taps in our
taproom, where they are served to you, our publicans, at their peak in
maturity and flavor. Unlike fine wines, once beer is ready for
consumption it just doesn't get any better. We're proud to say our
beers are the freshest beers to be found anywhere in Prescott and
Yavapai County, with a distribution line of less than 60 feet. We've
created Prescott Brewing Company for your relaxation and enjoyment. We
invite you, your family, and your friends to sit back and enjoy a meal
and a glass of beer unparalleled in freshness and taste, produced as
only your hometown pub and brewery can produce!
