Oswego Commercial Times (Oswego, NY), Sat. May 8, 1858

In noticing the business of Oswego, we must not omit mentioning a branch, which although at present is only local, yet will, we have little doubt, soon form a considerable item in our exports. We alluded to the Brewery Business, which not only affords a ready market for the barley raised in this vicinity, but draws in a large supply from a distance. Mr. James. Alexander’s Brewery, on West Fourth street, is certainly one of the best arranged and most convenient establishments for the purpose we have seen. Everything in the concern is in perfect gradation from the loft, which receives the barley, to the cellar which stores the beer. The grain loft communicates direct with the malting floor; which, in turn is connected with the drying loft and maltkiln, from which the malt is at once conveyed to the cooling floor, and thence to the mill, which delivers it into the bin, from which it is shot into the mash tun, Everything is compact and most beautifully clean, a quality as essential in a brewery as a dairy. Mr Alexander is a scientific and practical brewer and maltster, and can turn out a superior article when he gets an equivalent price. He showed us some sample in his cellar of xxx Pale Ale, equal to the far famed Nottingham, as clear as amber and sparkling as champagne. His family XX is of different qualities to suit various tastes some dark and heavy, and others light and pale, but all with a body that has good weight to it.

Mr. Alexander first started a small brewery here many years since, which he sold out and erected a large and extensive concern on his farm, three miles up the river, which, when just put into operation, was unfortunately burned down, and being uninsured, Mr. Alexander sustained a most serious loss, which threw him out of the business until he was able to commence his present building, which he did only two years since on a small scale, which, at the close of the past year he found necessary to enlarge very considerably, to meet his increasing business. His new concrete malting floor is a model for the purpose, and his stock cellar is constructed with the main view of equable temperature at all season, and is cool, airy and extensive, enabling him to keep constantly on hand a large stock, which has thus time to ripen and get rid of those qualities which render new beer unsafe to drink during the warm season.

Mr. Alexander’s success is a strong proof what patience and indomitable perseverance can accomplish, and as we understand, he is going into the bottling business, we shall ere long, hear of the Oswego Ale being called for as much abroad as it will continue to be at home.

There is another brewery about four miles up the river, on a small scale, belonging to Mr. Borssemer, which also has an extensive sale in the city, besides a great deal of the country custom. Beer is coming into general use, superceding to a great extent the indulgence in ardent spirits for which the pure essence of malt and hopes is certainly a most advantageous substitute.