Beginning in 1872, the Christian Heurich Brewing Company began brewing beer in Washington, D.C., becoming the local favorite
Christian Heurich was a skilled brewer from Germany who built a successful brewing empire in the nation's capital. His large brewery was a landmark along the Potomac River. The brewery annually produced about 250,000 barrels of suds. Except during Prohibition (1917-1933), the brewery operated until 1956.
Following financial success, Christian Heurich built a mansion on a prominent corner near DuPont Circle. The house, also known as the Brewmaster's Castle, was completed in 1894. Today, the mansion is the Heurich House Museum with original, turn-of-the-century furniture and decoration.
According to HeurichHouse.org, the "house incorporated the most modern technology of its time. Features include full indoor plumbing, circulating hot water heat, central vacuum system, venting skylight, elevator shaft, pneumatic and electric communication systems, and combination gas and electric lighting fixtures. To ensure the home’s safety, it was built out of reinforced steel and concrete and is completely fireproof. It is believed that none of its 15 fireplaces has ever been used." (One of Christian Heurich's early brewery buildings was destroyed in a fire and he was extremely concerned about making his home fireproof.)
We recently toured the house and were amazed at the well-preserved Gilded Age interiors.
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| One of the 15 unused fireplaces in the mansion. The image on the fireback depicts Botticelli's The Birth of Venus. |
Although he lived in an extravagant mansion, Christian Heurich believed in moderation. He limited himself to one beer per day. He lived to be 102 years old.
Thanks for visiting the Heurich House Museum with us.
Pop Quiz: In the vintage photo below, the Heurich Brewery is marked by the arrow. Can you name the building that replaced the Heurich Brewery after it was demolished in 1962?
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| View of the Heurich Brewery looking south from Georgetown |
The Kennedy Center
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