(Gregory Witul • Wed, Jan 28, 2015) During the early years of Prohibition, beer flowed as freely in Buffalo as it did before the law was enacted. Benny’s Grill, Al’s Inn, and Club 77 all had roots that extended back to these days of secretive drinking. To wet their customers whistles these speakeasies would need a secure source of beer, and for many of them Fillmore Bottling Works at 574 Fillmore Ave. was the best place to secure a few cases of lager. This week we will look at a couple of bottles from the illicit Works and a riot that broke out when federal agents tried to close it.
