Archive record · Brewery
Newfoundland Brewery Ltd.
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Founded
- 1893
- Closed
- 1962
- Archive ID
- TB-JQ3BHKV5
- Last checked
- 2026-09-24
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From the record
Summary
Status: Historical predecessor / acquired 1962. Newfoundland Brewery operated the Circular Road brewery opened in 1893. Molson Coors states Molson bought Circular Road from Newfoundland Brewery Ltd. In the early 1960s; reputable local reporting dates takeover to 1962. Acquisition is not treated as proof of the exact legal termination date.
A summary written during research. The sourced facts are in the sections below.
Where it brewed
- 131 Circular Road, St. John'sSt. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
PRODUCTION
Operated by Newfoundland Brewery Ltd.
Site detail
Newfoundland Brewery operated the Circular Road brewery opened in 1893. Molson Coors states Molson bought Circular Road from Newfoundland Brewery Ltd. in the early 1960s; reputable local reporting dates takeover to 1962. Acquisition is not treated as proof of the exact legal termination date.
Events
- City Archives preserves 1964 floor, warehouse, piping and site plans for Newfoundland Brewery Limited at Circular Road.1964
PROCESS / SITE PLAN EVIDENCE
Date is after Molson acquisition; archive title is not treated as ownership proof.
- City Archives preserves Arch A 701.1-.9 for additions and alterations to the Newfoundland Brewery Building at Circular Road.1971-03-26 – 1971-04-21
BUILDING ALTERATIONS
Historical building name persisted into successor era.
The Museum
Timeline
- 1893Opened
"Newfoundland Brewery Limited (1893-1962)" (Newfoundland Beer History); Molson Coors' own page for the St. John's brewery: "Opened in 1893". The local history site gives the location as "Elizabeth Ave and Rennie's River"; Molson says it "bought Circular Road" from the company — both kept, unresolved. Founders: UNKNOWN.
- 1952India Beer, India Pale Ale, Irish Cream Porter
"Brands: India Beer, India Pale Ale, and Irish Cream Porter", with labels of about 1952-1954 pictured. India Beer is still brewed at the Molson plant.
- 1962Sold to Molson
"Molson bought Circular Road in the early 1960s from the Newfoundland Brewery Ltd." (Molson Coors); "In 1962, these three Newfoundland beer producers were acquired by ... Molson (now Molson Coors), Canadian Breweries Limited (renamed Carling O'Keefe and now part of Molson Coors) and Labatt" (Atlantic Business Magazine). The plant continues as molson-coors-st-john-s-brewery (TB-86NDVFBX).
The Beer Library
Beers
Canadian Lager
RetiredLager
MUN digitized 1964 Daily News advertisement identifies Canadian Lager under Newfoundland Brewery Ltd.; relationship to later Molson Canadian is not inferred. (Historical documented)
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Export Ale
RetiredAle
MUN digitized 1964 Daily News advertisement identifies Export Ale under Newfoundland Brewery Ltd. (Historical documented)
Drank this? Add it to your passport →India Beer
RetiredBeer
MUN Newfoundland Journal of Commerce (1963) explicitly advertises India beer under Newfoundland Brewery Limited. This historical record is distinct from the current/successor Molson production lineage already represented elsewhere. (Historical documented)
Drank this? Add it to your passport →India Pale Ale
RetiredIndia Pale Ale
MUN Newfoundland Journal of Commerce (1963) explicitly advertises India pale ALE under Newfoundland Brewery Limited. (Historical documented)
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Irish Cream Porter
RetiredPorter
MUN digitized Evening Telegram (1959-02-18) advertisement names India Beer, India Pale Ale and Irish Cream Porter from Newfoundland Brewery. (Historical documented)
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Moose Pale Ale
RetiredPale Ale
MUN Newfoundland Directory 1936 includes an advertisement reading Moose Pale Ale, brewed and bottled by Newfoundland Brewery Ltd. (Historical documented)
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Amber Ale
RetiredAle
MUN digitized Daily News advertisement dated 1897-10-19 lists Amber Ale among beers brewed and bottled by Newfoundland Brewery Ltd. (Historical documented)
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Old Brown Stout
RetiredBrown Stout
MUN digitized 1897 Newfoundland Brewery advertisement explicitly lists Old Brown Stout. (Historical documented)
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Pale Ale
RetiredPale Ale
MUN digitized 1897 Newfoundland Brewery advertisement explicitly lists Pale Ale. (Historical documented)
Drank this? Add it to your passport →XXX Stout
RetiredStout
MUN digitized 1897 Newfoundland Brewery advertisement explicitly lists XXX Stout. Strength/designation retained exactly; ABV not inferred. (Historical documented)
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Cream Ale
RetiredCream Ale
MUN digitized 1897 Newfoundland Brewery advertisement explicitly lists Cream Ale. (Historical documented)
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Invalid Stout
RetiredStout
MUN digitized 1897 Newfoundland Brewery advertisement explicitly lists Invalid Stout. Period product name preserved without health claims. (Historical documented)
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Half and Half
RetiredUNKNOWN
MUN digitized 1897 Newfoundland Brewery advertisement explicitly lists Half and Half. Exact formulation/style is left UNKNOWN rather than inferred. (Historical documented)
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Help keep this record
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