Labatt Historic Collection

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MEANWHILE, IN CANADA...
The Birth of a Brewery
This Brewing Affair
This Brewing Affair

Born in Ireland in 1803, John Kinder Labatt and his family settle near London, Upper Canada in 1834. Initially working as a farmer, in 1847 Labatt turns to brewing, entering into a partnership with businessman Samuel Eccles before becoming sole owner of the London Brewery in 1853. The arrival of the Great Western Railway later that year allows Labatt’s beer to be shipped as far away as Montreal, and by the 1860s, Labatt earns a reputation as a maker of the finest quality beer – the original craft brewer.

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1834
Seeking a better life in the New World, John Kinder Labatt moves his family to Upper Canada in 1834.
“With proper attention to business I can see my way clear… and be enabled to have a nice, valuable property for you and our dear children.”
1863
John Kinder Labatt to his wife Eliza, 1863.
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1847
John Kinder Labatt follows his dreams by launching his brewing enterprise in 1847, in partnership with Samuel Eccles.
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1828
Labatt’s London Brewery is a log and shingle structure originally built in 1828; a replica would be built in 1967 on the same site.
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1855
The small brewery is prosperous enough that John Kinder Labatt buys out Samuel Eccles’ interest in 1855.
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1853
The Great Western Railway arrives in London in 1853, allowing Labatt to ship his beer as far away as Montreal.
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1860
Early Labatt advertisements feature engravings of the London Brewery.
“It is with deep regret that we announce the death of our old and esteemed fellow citizen, Mr. John K. Labatt…”
1866
Excerpt from John Kinder Labatt’s obituary, 1866
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1847
Labatt Family Tree
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1864
The Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences in 1864 lay the groundwork for Canadian Confederation.
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1852
The Grand Trunk Railway, incorporated in 1852, eventually connects Toronto to Montreal.
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1845
Between 1845 and 1848, the Franklin Expedition attempts to navigate the Northwest Passage.
Wife, Mother, Brewer

Eliza Labatt (née Kell) assumes ownership of the London Brewery following the death of her husband in 1866. The matriarch of a brewing family, Eliza skillfully guides the family business through a crucial transitional period. Taking her son John as a partner, the pair continue the course of high-quality brewing begun by John Kinder Labatt and plan to expand the London Brewery in 1872. That same year, John Labatt II purchases the company from his mother, continuing the family tradition.

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“Oh how I long to see you once more. I never will go a-voyaging again without you. I pray with all my heart that this will be the last time we shall be separate this side of the grave. I am heart sick of it.”
1847
John Kinder Labatt to his wife Eliza, 1847.
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1870
Eliza Labatt inherits the brewery from her husband and enters into a partnership with their son, John Labatt II.
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1872
In 1872, Eliza Labatt and John Labatt II plan to expand the brewery.
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1894
Eliza Labatt (right) is the matriarch of a brewing family, including her son John Labatt II (top); also pictured are Eliza’s granddaughter Frances and young great-grandson Richard.
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1893
Eliza’s sons Robert, Ephraim, and George are also brewers, winning this bronze medal at the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893.
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1872
Eliza and John Labatt II dissolve their partnership in 1872, with John eventually buying the business from his mother.
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1867
Confederation unites Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec as the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867.
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1870
The Crown purchases Rupert’s Land, consisting of much of the prairies and Canada’s north, from the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1869-70.
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1873
The Pacific Scandal leads to the resignation of Canada’s first Prime Minister, John A. Macdonald, in 1873.
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1893
The National Council of Women of Canada, a women’s suffrage and advocacy group, is formed in 1893.
From Father to Son

Having completed an apprenticeship in Wheeling, Virginia prior to his father’s death, John Labatt II purchases the brewery from his mother in 1872 and leads the company through a period of stunning growth and prosperity. A visionary in the field of advertising, Labatt enters his signature India Pale Ale in a series of brewing competitions at World’s Fairs, winning numerous gold medals. John Labatt II capitalizes on these victories by incorporating them into print advertisements and beer labels, cementing the company’s reputation for producing the highest quality beer.

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1870
John Labatt II learns the secret of India Pale Ale during an apprenticeship in Virginia. He later takes on apprentices of his own.
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1874
A devastating fire destroys the Labatt brewery in 1874.
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1874
In tragedy, opportunity – John Labatt II rebuilds the brewery larger and sturdier than ever.
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1890
The brewery would continue to expand over the years, as depicted in this lithograph c. 1890.
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1907
John Labatt II embraces the power of advertising and word-of-mouth, and the business grows rapidly under his leadership.
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1876
John Labatt II enters his brews into a variety of brewing competitions, winning a gold medal at the Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876.
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1901
In 1901, an outbreak of smallpox proves to be a temporary setback at Labatt’s Ottawa bottling cellar.
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1911
In 1911, the Labatt brewery incorporates as John Labatt, Ltd.
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1885
The last spike – Canada’s first transcontinental railroad joins the country from sea to sea in 1885.
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1876
Alexander Graham Bell makes the first long-distance telephone call from Brantford, Ontario in 1876.
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1869
In 1869, Timothy Eaton opens his first store on Yonge Street in Toronto.
Continuing the Tradition

Assuming control of the family business following the death of their father in 1915, brothers John Sackville Labatt and Hugh Labatt guide the company through the perils of Prohibition, which forces most Ontario breweries out of business. In 1934, John is kidnapped (and ultimately released) in Canada’s first high-profile ransom kidnapping. Having transformed Labatt into a Canadian icon, John Sackville and Hugh Labatt’s fifty years of service are commemorated in 1950 with the launch of Anniversary Ale, now known as Labatt 50.

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1934
John Labatt II is succeeded as President by his son, John Sackville Labatt, whose kidnapping makes national headlines in 1934.
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1934
John S. Labatt is eventually released unharmed, but not before this ransom note is delivered to his brother, Hugh Labatt.
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1915
Under John S. Labatt’s leadership, Labatt ads, like this one from 1915, emphasize the pure and wholesome qualities of Labatt beer.
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1939
Under the leadership of John S. and Hugh Labatt, the London Brewery expands even further.
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1932
President John S. Labatt leads as Labatt becomes a truly national brewery.
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1950
When John Sackville Labatt retires in 1950, Hugh Labatt succeeds his brother as President.
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1950
In 1950, Labatt Anniversary Ale – later known as Labatt 50 – is introduced to commemorate John S. and Hugh Labatt’s fifty years of service to the company.
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1921
In 1921, Agnes Macphail is the first woman elected to the Canadian House of Commons.
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1952
Queen Elizabeth II ascends to the throne of the United Kingdom, Canada, and other Commonwealth countries in 1952.
Next Chapter
The Challenge of Prohibition
Explore
This Brewing Affair
Wife, Mother, Brewer
From Father to Son
Continuing the Tradition