Johann Adam Hauck (known as Adam) was born in Annweiler, Pfalz, Germany. He was a trained brewer. In 1831 he and Eva Margaretha Walz were united in matrimonial alliance in Bavaria. The marriage produced (at least) two children, George (born 1832) and Peter (Born 1838).

He moved his young family to America in 1844 and they settled in New York City. That same year he established a brewery on Wooster Street in which his family all lived, as was the custom of breweries of the day. There was strong demand for Hauck's beer, and expansions to the manufactory were ongoing. George and Peter, in addition to their public education, were learning in the brewhouse the art business of brewing beer. When Adam retired to Bavaria (circa 1860) the sons were well trained to take over the operations of the family business.

Adam Hauck died in his hometown of Annweiler on June 25th of 1865. His son Peter guided the family brewery through its further expansion and removal in 1869 to its new location in Harrison, New Jersey. George Hauck established his own brewery in Kingston, New York.