LAGER, ALE AND MATHEW BIXEL Mathew Bixel, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, recognized the changes in beer-drinkers’ tastes. In 1875, he bought the Western Steam Brewery in Strathroy, and converted it to produce lager. M. Bixel and Son became the first lager brewery in Western Ontario. Label from the Bixel Brewing and Malting Company. In 1887, Bixel built a new plant on the banks of the Sydenham river, and produced 224,000 gallons of beer. Bixel harvested ice from a bay off of the river, extending his brewing time.

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