There is no shortage of entertainment in downtown Alton, especially when it comes to bars

and taverns.

As anyone who has stumbled along the sidewalk downtown laid on a Saturday night could

tell you, you could find all kinds of places to get a drink.

Wine bars, martini bars, dive bars, Irish pubs, you name it.

The Alton has had a long history with booze, dating back to the very start of the town.

One of the first establishments that opened for business in Alton back when Rufus Easton

was still laying out the place was a tavern.

And sure taverns were a little different back then, and were more of an end than a saloon,

but hey, they still had liquor on hand.

The Alton Riverfront, with its travelers, steamboat crewmen and quarry workers, all who

loved brawling and drinking contests and were always thirsty, while they always had saloons

offering something to quench that thirst.

In the 19th century, downtown Alton was also home to several quality brewers who supplied

the city with beer.

In the early days, most beer was shipped to town from St. Louis, but by the 1830s, it was

decided we needed a brewery of our own.

The first was started by Philip Yekol, who also opened a saloon on 5th Street.

He and his partners founded the Union Brewery.

There was also the Killian Brothers Albrewery in 1845 and the Alton Brewery, a short time

later.

It had a brewery and a malt house on the old Plank Road.

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