9 3/8 x 7 1/8 in. albumen photograph on 11 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. cardstock mount. Written in the negative on one of the barrels is the name "Herman Kircaldie" and just below, "Royal Canadian Ins. Co." One man holds up a sign reading "Oakland Brewery 1876," which appears to have been hand-etched into the negative.

Several of the men pictured (and one young boy) wear suit jackets and/or vests and hold beer steins, while others wear work shirts and hold various tools related to brewery processes and tasks. A carriage in the background painted "Oakland Brewery" can be seen laden with barrels. Other barrels, arranged among the men, have stars and numbers "08" emblazoned on their heads.

A Herman Kirkaldie is listed as an agent of the Royal Canadian Insurance Company in an 1876 directory for businesses in Oakland, CA.