How Brewers Tried to Survive During the Lean Years

As mentioned before, the breweries were dealt a harsh blow when Prohibition came into being.  Fortunes were lost, buildings closed and demolished, hundreds of Daytonians lost their jobs.  Some brewers, however, tried to hold on by changing their product line. 

            Olt Brothers continued on by selling cereal beverages (a poor substitute for beer), Vita Cream, Superba and Olt’s Orange.  They also branched off into selling milk products, including cream and buttermilk.  After prohibition, the company began to again producing beer. (See Olt Brother’s Brewing Company  in the Dayton Breweries After Prohibition section).

            The Hollencamp Ale Brewing Company held on during prohibition by making soft drinks, near beer and ice.  Sometime during the beginning of prohibition the family changed the spelling of their last name from Hollencamp to Hollenkamp, perhaps wanting to go back to their original German spelling.  The company became The Hollenkamp Products Company, Inc. during the 1920’s. (See Hollenkamp Products Company  in the Dayton Breweries After Prohibition section).

            The Dayton Breweries became the Miami Valley Brewing Company.  Their specialty included a malt beverage called “Old Reliable”, Nick Thomas Dee Bee Ale and Dr. Swett’s Original Root Beer.  After prohibition the Maimi Valley Brewing Company built a new brewery on the site of the old N. Thomas Brewery. (See Miami Valley Brewing Company in the Dayton Breweries After Prohibition section).

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