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The Huether Hotel, which is said to be the first brewery in Waterloo, is representative of the entrepreneurial drive of many citizens of Waterloo County. Wilhelm Rebscher, a brewer, purchased the land on which the hotel is located in 1842 and operated a brewery on the property until 1856.
Following Rebscher's death, Christopher Huether and his father, Adam, who had recently arrived from Germany, took over the operation of the brewery, naming it the Lion Brewery.
Christopher Huether died in 1898, and in 1899 Theresa Kuntz became the hotel and brewery's proprietor after placing the highest bid at auction. The Kuntz Brewery Ltd. held the premises from 1910 to 1930. In 1953, the Adlys family obtained the hotel and restored it to its original glory.
Today the Huether Hotel continues to operate as a testament to the drive of these early citizens serving as a restaurant, café, and bar.
Although portions of the Huether Hotel date to 1855, the existing hotel was constructed in 1870, with a Victorian façade added in 1880.
The hotel is an example of a commercial hotel from the late nineteenth century. The King Street façade demonstrates elements of the Victorian style including the symmetrical placement of the windows and the decorative slate roof.
The use of yellow-brick with contrasting trim is evident throughout the exterior of the building, and the arched windows and entrances and dormers add an air of sophistication to the former brewery.
Inside, the basement features a rare storage cavern with a vaulted stone ceiling and arched entrance. This cavern was uncovered in 1961 when the City of Waterloo wanted to pave a parking lot behind the hotel.
Home to the Lion Brewery Restaurant, Barley Works restaurant, Café 1842, and the Jazz Room, the Huether Hotel really does have something 'for everyone'.
Explorers can enjoy a latte on the ground floor, eat at 1 of the two full-service restaurants serving craft beer made in the same location, play billiards between either restaurant, and finally enjoy live jazz in the Jazz Room on select nights.
To top it all off, the Huether's patio is by far the place to be during the summer where those looking for beverages can enjoy The Lion Brewery, founded in 1842 by the Huether family and now operated and preserved by the Adlys family, is one of the oldest breweries in Canada.
