Steindl’s Bundaberg Brewery poster Queensland

Having sold his interest in the City Brewery, Bundaberg, to his partner Lionel Fleming, Gustav Steindl built another brewery and began business on his own in 1888, trading as the Bundaberg Brewery. The most popular and successful advertising at this time was Pears Soap which always included a baby in their advertising and this poster is obviously copying that.

In 1893 the Bundabery Brewery was flooded, and larger premises were built on higher ground. They consisted of four main buildings, two of which were two storey. There was an underground cellar, and at the front of the brewery, in what is now Tomlin Street, there was a tall arched gateway with the words ‘Bundaberg Brewery’ in wrought iron at the top. The front fence had a top rail where farmers hitched their horses.

Pasteurised lager, bitter ale, light ale and stout were sold in bulk and also in ‘recessed-bottom’ green bottles. Labels were applied by hand. The company also bottled brandy and other products under the Seppelt label.

Gustav Steindl won four medals in a Commonwealth brewing competition conducted in 1894, and his ale and lager were considered to be among the best in the country. After the death of Steindl in 1903, the Bundaberg Brewery continued under the management of the executors of his estate, J. Steindl, O. R. Steindl and G. A. Steindl.

The Bundaberg Brewery Co. Ltd was registered in 1923, with the ten shareholders all members of the Steindl family. As well as canefarming interests, the family owned five hotels, including the Metropolitan and the Gympie. Competition from the larger city breweries gradually took its toll, and brewing ceased in 1932. The company continued to run a liquor agency, and became involved in soft-drink production.