It is quite possible that this brewery never existed.
According
to the American State Reports, however, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed an act on May 29, 1891, to incorporate the
Mount Hope Brewing Company for the purpose of "manufacturing, brewing, and selling lager beer, beer, porter and ales."
This is backed up by the existance of a very rare stock certificate which was issued in Providence, Rhode Island,
in 1891.
Whether or not the brewery ever got off the ground and produced beer is another question
entirely. The problem is that there is nothing else to go on to say that this brewery truly existed. Where this brewery
was to be located is anyone's guess. As the certificate was issued in Rhode Island, and the brewery was to be named the
Mount Hope Brewing Company, one could assume that it was planned for one of the towns that actually borders Mount
Hope Bay. Was it to be built in Warren, Bristol, Tiverton or Portsmouth? We just don't know.
Of course,
the name may have had nothing to do with it's location. During the mid to late 19th century, there was a Mount Hope Distilling
Company which operated at 42-48 Peck Street in Providence. Could this have been affiliated with the Mount Hope Brewing Company?
There does exist a beer bottle from this establishment, so there may possibly be a relation.
Until more information
surfaces in the future, we have yet another Rhode Island mystery to solve...
