Mantorville Brewing - Stagecoach Brewing Company
The Stagecoach Brewing Company was founded on May 1st 1857 as the Dodge County Brewery by John Herschi. One year later the brewery was purchased by Peter Ginsburg, who in 1864 built a larger facility in Mantorville at the east end of Main Street on Brewery Creek. Like many of the pioneer breweries of the bluff country, the brewery served the local immigrant farmers in the area, continuing under successive owners until it closed 1919 due to prohibition. In 1933 the brewery reopened as the Mantorville Brewery and operated until 1939, when it closed and its copper kettle was scrapped for the war effort.
In 1996 the brewery was once again reborn through the efforts of six local home brewers. Introduced that year was the flagship brew Stagecoach Amber Ale, named for the famous Stagecoach Saloon, located in the historic Hubbell House. In 1999 Tod Fyten became a partner in the brewery and in 2002, he purchased the brewery from his remaining partners.
Today, the brewery is expanding it’s draft and bottled production of it’s flagship Stagecoach Amber Ale, World Championship gold medal Honey Golden Ale, and famed Smoked Porter, along with seasonal and special brews.
Author: Caroline Porsiel
Caroline Porsiel is a master distiller and liqueurist based in East Ellijay, Georgia. She founded House of Applejay, a fine spirits and liqueur distillery, in 2022 with her mother, Sabine, crafting award-winning products like Applejay from Ellijay, Mt. Frozen Knob Vodka, and Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. The distillery won a 2024 Best of Georgia Award and a 2025 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. As a founding member of the AMBRU Campaign, launched in 2020, Porsiel advocates for the global recognition of American Brandy and Rum. She continues to drive innovation in the craft spirits industry from her active distillery in the heart of Georgia’s apple country.
