Otto H. Thoma was born in Altenschwand, Waldshut, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In 1878, at age 14 he, along with his father Fridolin and brother Leo, emigrated to America. They settled in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1886 the brothers partnered with Christian Stettner to form the Stettner & Thoma Brewery. In the hometown of industry giant Anheuser-Busch they were able to eke out a healthy niche by brewing Weiss Beer. The Missouri Weiss Beer Brewery lasted until National Prohibition closed it down in 1920. Otto H. Thoma died on the 31st of May, 1930.

Leo H. Thoma was born in Altenschwand, Waldshut, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In 1886 he, along with his brother Otto and Christian Stettner, established the Stettler & Thoma Brewery in St Louis, Missouri. It would later become the Missouri Weiss Beer Brewing Company, Sydney Street Branch. It was closed by National Prohibition in 1920.