The Hofer Brewery was established in LaSalle in 1927, and architects Sheppard & Masson designed the brewery building on Front Road shortly after.
The brewery was founded by the former Mayor of LaSalle Vital Benoit, and the brewery was created for the sole purpose of brewing beer for “export”. During the boom years of Prohibition, the brewery was cranking out 4,500 bottles of beer a day.
Following prohibition the smaller breweries could no longer compete with the big breweries that reopened, and the Hofer was one of those victims, closing its doors in 1939.
Brewmaster Joseph Hofer found work after this however, becoming the brewmaster of the Pfieffer Brewery in Flint, MI in the early 1940’s.
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My Grandfather was Henry Benoit from Windsor ON. He was related to Vital and used to work for him. Can you please also send me some information and pictures please :)
cb7023@hotmail.com
i am the current owner of what was the bondy house/wellington/chateau now rosas italian restaurant and would love much more info on my place as it was in those early years pease if anyone has any info contact me my number is 519-734-7439 or email thx
I thought the person who bulit the building was JacK Major who could neither read or write but made a fortune during America's Prohibiton. I remember seeing beer flow out an ordinatry faucet in a room thee.
I thought the building shown was first owned by Jack Major who could neithe read or write but made a fortune during Prohibition. The road next to the building was Major Lane that ended at what had been known for many decades as Major Island.
I am one of Vital's Benoit granddaughters. My Dad, Allan was the second youngest
of Vital's children. I would also appreciate the picture of my Grandfather posing with
his children.