Fred Koch Brewery
Dunkirk, New York, USA · Est. 1888
Tally's Take
Why this matters
Pass 120: Dunkirk Historical Museum verifies 1888 founding, West Courtney Street plant, Prohibition pivot to spring water/soft drinks/Kobru near beer/malt syrup, 1933 beer return, Vaux and Genesee succession. Period ads verify Lake City Export and later Koch/Deer Run products. Final Dunkirk brewing year remains UNKNOWN because reliable summaries conflict between 1985 and 1988. Licence class: Historical production brewery. Chautauqua County. Owner as recorded: Fred Koch; Koch family; Vaux Breweries Limited (1981); Genesee Brewing Company (1984). Parent as recorded: Genesee Brewing Company (brand/production successor after 1984). Acquisition history: Purchased by Vaux Breweries Limited in 1981; merged/acquired into Genesee Brewing Company in 1984. Dunkirk production-ceasing year conflicts between sources (1985 versus 1988) and remains held.. Relocation: Began using the old Fink Brewery; moved to the West Courtney Street site in 1888. Exact historic numbering varies by period/source.. Status as recorded: CLOSED - HISTORICAL.
The People
Behind the beer
Travel Guide
Plan a visit
Straight answers
Common questions about Fred Koch Brewery
- Who owns Fred Koch Brewery?
- Fred Koch Brewery is recorded as owned by Genesee Brewing Company (brand/production successor after 1984), which does not yet have a full company profile in this archive.
- Is Fred Koch Brewery still open?
- No. Fred Koch Brewery has closed. Pass 120: Dunkirk Historical Museum verifies 1888 founding, West Courtney Street plant, Prohibition pivot to spring water/soft drinks/Kobru near beer/malt syrup, 1933 beer return, Vaux and Genesee succession. Period ads verify Lake City Export and later Koch/Deer Run products. Final Dunkirk brewing year remains UNKNOWN because reliable summaries conflict between 1985 and 1988. Licence class: Historical production brewery. Chautauqua County. Owner as recorded: Fred Koch; Koch family; Vaux Breweries Limited (1981); Genesee Brewing Company (1984). Parent as recorded: Genesee Brewing Company (brand/production successor after 1984). Acquisition history: Purchased by Vaux Breweries Limited in 1981; merged/acquired into Genesee Brewing Company in 1984. Dunkirk production-ceasing year conflicts between sources (1985 versus 1988) and remains held.. Relocation: Began using the old Fink Brewery; moved to the West Courtney Street site in 1888. Exact historic numbering varies by period/source.. Status as recorded: CLOSED - HISTORICAL.
- When was Fred Koch Brewery founded?
- Fred Koch Brewery was founded in 1888 in Dunkirk, New York, USA.
Drinking Fred Koch Brewery? Stamp it in your passport.
Discover it here — collect it in the Passport. Track every beer, earn stamps, and build your own beer passport.
Every brewery deserves its full story told.
If you're the owner or team behind Fred Koch Brewery, we'll build out your complete profile — history, the people, every beer — and feature you in a Tally's documentary. No cost, just your story.