by Trenna Sue Hiler

Created on: February 23, 2009

John Wagnor established the brewing company during the mining rush to Virginia City in 1864. The brewing company imported hops and barely from California to make their steam beer. Steam beer doesn't require the constant cold temperatures to brew, like lagers. Wagner touted the success was due to the clear pure water that came from King's Canyon, just west of Carson City. They delivered kegs, barrels and bottles to local saloons and other towns around the area. They established one customer in San Francisco who had some Nevada based customers who were loyal to their beer.

The brewery became well established and profitable by 1864. With this good news Wagnor built a new two-story brewery on the corner of Davidson and King streets. The brewery and bar were located on the first floor of the building and the upper floor was the Masonic Lodge. This relationship continued until 1919.

In 1900, Frank Golden and James Raycraft purchased the brewery. They incorporated and changed the name to Carson Brewing Company. They operated the brewery for then next ten years.

In 1910, Fritz Hagmeyer was very interested in purchasing the brewery. He was a brewmaster, but lacked the funding needed. He talked his brother-in-law, Max Stenz into purchasing the operation. Under the direction of Max Stenz the business flourished and expanded. They changed fro a stem beer to lager. They named the new beer "Tahoe Beer" with the slogan "Famouls as the Lake".

There were many positive changes made. They addes a cold storage room and a new boiler. They captilized on the new equipment and began bottling soft drinks and mineral water from Carson Hot Springs. They has a very successful and growing business. Keeping the project in the family Max Stenz sold the business to Aronld Miller his son-in-law. He made the purchase in 1926.

In the 1940 small breweries were being gobbled up by the big names and it was making it tough to complete. After 88 years of continueing business Arnold Miller liquated the company and one of the longest most established businesses in Nevada was gone. The building then housed the Nevada Appeal newspaper.

Eventually a grant was recieved from the National Park Historic Preservations Fund. The end product is the Brewery Arts Center. Their mission is as follows:

"The Brewery Arts Center is committed to presenting and promoting art, arts programming and cultural events for all ages through its facilities and resources to the community of Carson City and the surrounding area."

So much like it was in the beginning the brewery is still a gathering place of the citizens of Nevada.

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