Bottle
Object number2017.103.2
Manufacturer
Fort Pitt Brewing Company
(1906 - 1957)
Datec. 1925
OriginSharpsburg, PA
MediumGlass; Paper; Ink; Adhesive
Credit LineGift of John DeSantis
DescriptionFort Pitt Brewing Co. “Fort Pitt Malt Tonic” bottle. Amber glass.DimensionsHeight x Diameter: 7.875 × 2.938 in. (20 × 7.5 cm)MarksLabel has red and dark blue text including "CONTENTS 12 FLUID OZ. / I give you health and strength / SOLIDS 12 PER CENT / ALCOHOL NOT EXCEEDING / 2% BY VOLUME / PERMIT No. Pa. L. 106 / A WINEGLASSFUL BE- / FORE OR AFTER MEAL / KEEP IN A COOL PLACE / RECOMMENDED FOR / NURSING MOTHERS / Fort Pitt / MALT TONIC / NOT A BEVERAGE / BREWED AND BOTTLED BY / FORT PITT BREWING COMPANY / SHARPSBURG, PENN."
Underside has raised number "6" or "9".
Historical NotesFort Pitt Brewing Co. “Fort Pitt Malt Tonic” bottle, c. 1925, demonstrates the products produced by the Brewery during the time of Prohibition when brewing beer was prohibited. Their malt tonic or “near-beer” as it was termed, was sold in 27 states. During Prohibition Fort Pitt Brewery brought in master brewer Joseph Vokral (Vokral came to Chicago from Prague in 1898 and then came to Pittsburgh in 1925) to make near-beer. According to a 1932 article in The Pittsburgh Press, Vokral was a pioneer in the making of near-beer. It required first making beer and then taking the alcohol out. Because of this, Fort Pitt Brewery was ready to go when the 18th Amendment was repealed in 1932.
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Fort Pitt Glass Works
