In 1977 Alexandria Archaeology investigated a construction site at the corner of Union and Wolfe Streets. The excavation revealed part of a wooden vat and fragments of green glass bottles from the late 19th century. These finds represent the Alexandria Bottling Cellar or the neighboring Union Brewery, both advertised in the Alexandria Gazette in December 1796.

Porter, ale and beer were made in wooden barrels at the Brewery. Bronze spigots were used to tap the barrels at the Bottling Cellar, where the beet was transferred to bottles and sold to the public.

Until the mid-19th century, the same dark green bottles were used for wine, beer and other liquid refreshments. The bottle shape changed over the years from short and squat to tall and cylindrical.

The Bottling Cellar offered "the highest price given for empty bottles." Bottles were reused many times because of the high price of glass. The earliest bottle displayed was manufactured in the early 18th century and discarded on a residential site more than 75 years later.

Bronze spigots for removing beer or wine from barrels, found at the site of Arrel’s Tavern.

A variety of late 18th century wine bottles found in Alexandria.