Magic City Brewery
The Magic City Brewery was a microbrewery located at 420 21st Street South in Southside that was in operation between 1995 and 2001. This was the first brewpub to open in Birmingham and the second in the state of Alabama after the Port City Brewery in Mobile which opened in 1993. The brewery was owned by Sam Casto and Michael Wajciechowski with Brad Fournier serving as brewmaster.
History
The idea of opening a brewpub in Birmingham was initially evaluated by The Mill in 1991, but was subsequently abandoned. On August 23, 1994, the Birmingham City Council approved the former Tom Williams Dodge showroom as the location of the city's first brewpub. It was originally slated for a November 1994 opening. However permitting from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Alabama Beverage Control pushed its opening to March 10, 1995.
The brewery featured 11, 500-gallon tanks to store the beers made on-site. The actual brewing facility was located in a glass-enclosed area surrounded by an 80-foot wooden bar in the center of the restaurant. Additionally, its location was symbolic as it was adjacent to the former Birmingham Brewery and Philipp Schillinger Brewing Company which closed in the wake of prohibition.
After seeing early success, increased competition and a failure to adequately market the operation, the brewery would close its doors in June 2000.
Beers
- Schillinger's Star Pure Gold - A golden ale named in honor of Birmingham's first brewmaster, Philipp Schillinger.
- Pale Ale 25 - A seasonal pale ale offered in 1995.
References
- Nabbefeld, Joe (August 24, 1994) "Birmingham building prepared for brewpub." Birmingham News.
- Normington, Mick (December 29, 1994) "Preparing to jump into suds." Birmingham News.
- Carlton, Bob (March 9, 1995) "Drawing a cold one: City welcomes first brew pub." Birmingham News.
- Harvey, Fletcher (April 20, 1995) "Much more on tap than beer at Magic City Brewery." Birmingham News.
- Staff Reports (June 20, 2000) "Magic City Brewery tapped out." Birmingham News.
| Preceded by: Tom Williams Dodge showroom |
420 21st Street South 1995–2000 |
Succeeded by: Tiki Bob's Cantina |