Albion Brewery
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brewing |
| Founded | 1875 |
| Founder | John Hamlin Burnell |
| Defunct | c. 1919 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California , United States |
| Products | Beer (Ale and Porter) |
The Albion Brewery, also referred to as the Albion Ale And Porter Brewing Company and Albion Castle, was a brewery based in San Francisco that operated from 1875 until approximately 1919. Situated at 881 Innes Avenue near Hunters Point Springs, the location has been recognized as a San Francisco Designated Landmark since 1974. Presently, the property is under private ownership and is occasionally used for hosting events.
Albion Ale And Porter Brewing Company
Established by English immigrant John Hamlin Burnell (circa 1828–1890), who arrived in San Francisco in 1849, the brewery was strategically placed due to the presence of a rare natural spring aquifer essential for brewing in the area. The facility, built in 1870 on Hunter's Point Ridge, featured two hand-excavated underground caverns extending 200 feet each.
To ensure high-quality beer, Burnell imported hops and malt from England, enabling Albion beer to compete with well-known brands such as Guinness while offering a more affordable option. After Burnell passed away in 1890, control of the brewery transferred first to his wife Fanny Constable Burnell and subsequently to his brother Frederick Burnell. Operations ceased around 1919 following Fanny Burnell’s death and the enactment of Prohibition.
Albion Water Company and private residence
In 1928, Leonard Mees revived the site as the Albion Water Company, bottling and selling spring water nearby. Over time, the building required maintenance and repairs.
In 1933, sculptor Adrien Voisin purchased the property, making it his residence and studio. Over nearly twenty years, he restored the structure and added living quarters incorporating elements of Art Deco design.
San Francisco Mountain Springs Water Company
The property was acquired in 1964 by the San Francisco Mountain Springs Water Company to utilize its natural springs for supplying bottled water to the city’s cooler market. Following this sale, Voisin was allowed to continue residing on-site.
From 1998 until 2005, artist and citysearch.com co-founder Eric Higgs owned the estate. Since then, ownership has changed hands multiple times.
The Albion Brewery building has gained notoriety as an alleged haunted location and was featured as a filming site for the 2019 television series Ghost Adventures.
Architecture
The principal structure is a Norman-style stone castle positioned above two subterranean cisterns, each extending 200 feet and capable of holding up to 10,000 gallons drawn from Hunters Point Springs’ natural aquifer.
There are varying theories regarding its construction: some believe English stonemasons utilized local "float rock" sourced from Bayview Hill; others argue that limestone ballast from English and French ships was initially employed but subsequently replaced. The original brewery building located in front of the tower collapsed long ago, likely by 1906.
The narrow four-story tower contains a kitchen, living room, dining room, and additional rooms on each level that can serve as bedrooms or sitting areas. The tower’s summit provides views overlooking India Basin.
See also
- List of breweries in California
- List of defunct breweries in the United States
- New Albion Brewing Company
External links
- Articles with short description
- San Francisco Designated Landmarks
- American companies established in 1875
- American companies disestablished in 1919
- Beer brewing companies based in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Defunct brewery companies of the United States
- History of San Francisco
- 5
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment