News
20th May 1821
20th May 1821
John Orth, founder of what would become the Grain Belt Brewery of Minneapolis, was born in France.
John Orth, founder of what would become the Grain Belt Brewery of Minneapolis, was born in France.
1850 FoundedJohn Orth’s BreweryCorner of Marshall & Brewery
Photos
Circa: 1850
Circa: 1850
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_83.jpg_H898.jpg)
John Orth's first brewery, erected in 1850.
1859 John Orth & Co. (George P. Weinell)1228 Marshall Street & 13th Ave, Northeast
News
29th September 1860
29th September 1860
Jacob Andrew “Jake” Kunz Sr., presidentof the Minneapolis Brewing Co., was born in Berkheim, Landkreis Biberach, Baden-Württemberg.
Jacob Andrew “Jake” Kunz Sr., presidentof the Minneapolis Brewing Co., was born in Berkheim, Landkreis Biberach, Baden-Württemberg.
Photos
Circa: 1865
Circa: 1865
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_998.jpg_H838.jpg)
Etching from an early Plat Map book.
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Circa: 1868
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Circa: 1870
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Circa: 1872
News
9th May 1875
9th May 1875
The John Orth Brewery in Minneapolis benefitted from a lengthy writeup in the Minneapolis Star.
The John Orth Brewery in Minneapolis benefitted from a lengthy writeup in the Minneapolis Star.
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1875
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1876
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1877
1883 John Orth Brewing Co.1228 Marshall Street & 13th Ave, Northeast
Products
John Orth Extra Pale Lager Beer
1883-1890
News
23rd April 1883
23rd April 1883
John Orth filed Articles of Incorporation for his brewery in Minneapolis.
John Orth filed Articles of Incorporation for his brewery in Minneapolis.
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1884
News
16th January 1886
16th January 1886
The John Orth Brewery, predecessor to the Minneapolis Brewing Company, struck it's first artesian well on the brewery property at only 225 feet.
The John Orth Brewery, predecessor to the Minneapolis Brewing Company, struck it's first artesian well on the brewery property at only 225 feet.
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1886
News
15th June 1887
15th June 1887
John Orth Dies of Bay Fever he caught while visiting Algiers. In 1850 he founded what would become the Grain Belt Brewery in Minneapolis. He was 65 years old.
John Orth Dies of Bay Fever he caught while visiting Algiers. In 1850 he founded what would become the Grain Belt Brewery in Minneapolis. He was 65 years old.
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1887
News
14th December 1889
14th December 1889
A fire destroyed the tower of the John Orth Brewery in Minneapolis.
A fire destroyed the tower of the John Orth Brewery in Minneapolis.
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1889
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1890
1890
Minneapolis Brewing & Malting Co., No. 2, John Orth Brewing Co. Branch
1890
Minneapolis Brewing & Malting Co., No. 2, John Orth Brewing Co. Branch
1890 Minneapolis Brewing & Malting Co., No. 2, John Orth Brewing Co. Branch1228 Marshall Street & 13th Ave, Northeast
Products
Extra Pale Beer
1890-1893
Kaiser Beer
1890-1893
Lager Beer
1890-1893
London Porter
1890-1893
Wiener Beer
1890-1893
News
28th July 1890
28th July 1890
The articles of incorporation were filed for the Minneapolis Brewing and Malting Co. It was a locally owned combine consisting of the John Orth Brewing Co., The Heinrich Brewing Co., The F. D. Norrenberg Brewing Co, and the Germania Brewing Co.
The articles of incorporation were filed for the Minneapolis Brewing and Malting Co. It was a locally owned combine consisting of the John Orth Brewing Co., The Heinrich Brewing Co., The F. D. Norren... View More
Logo
Begin: 1890 End 1920
1890 - 1920
Photos
Circa: 1890
Circa: 1890
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_130.jpg_H1210.jpg)
Schon Schnitzius (Jacob) Company Cooperage plant employees loading barrels for delivery for the John Orth Brewery.
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Circa: 1893
1893 Minneapolis Brewing Co.1228 Marshall Street & 13th Ave, Northeast
Products
Extra Pale
1893-1920
Extra Pale Old Lager
1893-1920
Golden Grain
1893-1920
Grain Belt Beer
1893-1920
Grain Belt Golden Beer
1893-1920
Grain Belt Golden Bock Beer
1893-1920
Grain Belt Golden Extra Pale Beer
1893-1920
Grain Belt Golden Gilt Edge Beer
1893-1920
Grain Belt Golden Original Beers
1893-1920
Grain Belt Golden Wiener Beer
1893-1920
Minnehaha Pale
1893-1920
Old Lager
1893-1920
Zumalweiss
1893-1920
Logo
Begin: 1893 End 1940
1893 - 1940
Logo
Begin: 1893 End 1940
1893 - 1940
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Begin: 1894 End 1940
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Begin: 1895 End 1940
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Begin: 1897 End 1940
Photos
Circa: 1898
Circa: 1898
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1299.jpg_H1238.jpg)
Tavern workers and patrons pose for a photo. A beautiful Grain Belt Bock Beer lithograph steals the scene behind them.
Photos
Circa: 1900
Circa: 1900
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_502.jpg_H940.jpg)
Folks camped out front of The Bob Saloon on the prairie.
Photos
Circa: 1900
Circa: 1900
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_767.jpg_H644.jpg)
Patrons and workers gather outside the California Bar in Bingham, Utah. Fisher and Grain Belt Beer corner signs are prominent.
Photos
Circa: 1905
Circa: 1905
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1659.jpg_H1135.jpg)
All aboard the Golden Grain Belt Beer delivery wagon!
Photos
Circa: 1905
Circa: 1905
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1121.jpg_H953.jpg)
The first annual convention to exterminate intoxicating beverages in Shingleton, Michigan. Golden Grain Belt Beer is near the top of the list, apparently.
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Circa: 1906
Photos
Circa: 1908
Circa: 1908
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_2467.jpg_H1703.jpg)
Some nice Grain Belt Beer advertising adorns the H. H. Loff Tavern in Kent, Minnesota.
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Circa: 1908
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Circa: 1909
Photos
Circa: 1910
Circa: 1910
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_2464.jpg_H1979.jpg)
A gorgeous Grain Belt Beer sign graces the Main Street of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.
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Circa: 1910
Photos
Circa: 1911
Circa: 1911
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1300.jpg_H1195.jpg)
The Golden Grain Belt Club at Grasslake Illinois.
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Circa: 1911
News
9th January 1912
9th January 1912
Fire destroyed the Mankato branch of the Minneapolis brewing Co. Much of the keg and bottle beer that was stored there was ruined.
Fire destroyed the Mankato branch of the Minneapolis brewing Co. Much of the keg and bottle beer that was stored there was ruined.
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1916
News
25th April 1917
25th April 1917
The Minneapolis Brewing Co. begins selling Rex Nutrio cereal beverage.
The Minneapolis Brewing Co. begins selling Rex Nutrio cereal beverage.
1918 Golden Grain Juice Co.1228 Marshall Street & 13th Ave, Northeast
Products
Canadian Pale
1918-1933
Gin-Ade
1918-1933
Grain Belt Malt Tonic
1918-1933
Lager
1918-1933
Malt Beverage
1918-1933
Minnehaha
1918-1933
Minnehaha Ginger Ale
1921-1933
Minnehaha Grape Soda
1921-1933
Minnehaha Lemon Soda
1921-1933
Minnehaha Orange Soda
1921-1933
Minnehaha Wild Cherry Soda
1921-1933
Zumalweiss
1918-1933
News
1st October 1921
1st October 1921
The Golden Grain Juice Co. trademarks its Minnehaha brand of flavored sodas.
The Golden Grain Juice Co. trademarks its Minnehaha brand of flavored sodas.
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1933
1933
Minneapolis Brewing Company
1933
Minneapolis Brewing Company
1933
Minneapolis Brewing Company
1933
Minneapolis Brewing Company
1933
Minneapolis Brewing Company
1933 Minneapolis Brewing Company1228 Marshall Street & 13th Ave, Northeast
Products
Canterbury Style Ale
1933-1936
Gilt Edge Beer
1933-1950
Grain Belt Ale
1933-1936
Grain Belt Beer
1933-1950
Grain Belt Friendly Beer
1933-1950
Half & Half
1933-1950
Minnehaha Ale
1933-1950
Minnehaha Ale
1934-1962
White Seal Beer
1933-1936
Photos
Circa: 1936
Circa: 1936
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_865.jpg_H767.jpg)
A midwestern Bank with Grain Belt Beer on tap.
1937Capacity 600000 Barrels
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1937
1939Capacity 600000 Barrels
Photos
Circa: 1939
Circa: 1939
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1303.jpg_H1225.jpg)
An old-timey horse drawn wagon delivers Grain Belt 6-Horse Lager beer in North Minneapolis.
Photos
Circa: 1940
Circa: 1940
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1302.jpg_H500.jpg)
A boy poses in front of a Grain Belt Beer billboard.
Photos
Circa: 1940
Circa: 1940
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1327.jpg_H1050.jpg)
Grain Belt beer sign painted on a brick wall.
Photos
Circa: 1940
Circa: 1940
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_652.jpg_H2143.jpg)
A pile of beer crates in fromt of the Minneapolis Brewing Co.
Photos
Circa: 1940
Circa: 1940
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1826.jpg_H813.jpg)
The Mint bar in Sheridan Wyoming advertises Grain Belt Beer
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Circa: 1941
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Circa: 1942
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Circa: 1944
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Circa: 1945
News
27th June 1946
27th June 1946
The Minneapolis Brewing Co. closed for the day to remember beloved Chairman of the Board Jacob Kunz, who died earlier that week at age 75.
The Minneapolis Brewing Co. closed for the day to remember beloved Chairman of the Board Jacob Kunz, who died earlier that week at age 75.
Photos
Circa: 1950
Circa: 1950
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1535.jpg_H930.jpg)
The WNAX Radio Bohemian Band featuring Johnny Matuska, Eddie Texel, Bert Dunham, Russ Luft, Keith Eide, Lynn Edwards, and Rex Hays..
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Circa: 1950
News
26th April 1952
26th April 1952
The Minneapolis Brewing Co. published the booklet "The Heritage Of America's Grain Belt".
The Minneapolis Brewing Co. published the booklet "The Heritage Of America's Grain Belt".
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1952
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1953
News
25th March 1954
25th March 1954
The Minneapolis Brewery of Minnesota phased out the 'bottle cap' Grain Belt logo in favor of a simple diamond.
The Minneapolis Brewery of Minnesota phased out the 'bottle cap' Grain Belt logo in favor of a simple diamond.
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1954
Photos
Circa: 1956
Circa: 1956
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1799.jpg_H1158.jpg)
Midwestern drivers in 1956 would have seen this unusual giraffe-themed Grain Belt Beer billboard.
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Circa: 1956
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Circa: 1957
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Circa: 1958
News
2nd April 1959
2nd April 1959
Grain Belt announces the production of Wunderbar Beer, produced in Minneapolis and White Seal Beer, to be brewed in the former Kiewel's plant in Little falls, Minnesota.
Grain Belt announces the production of Wunderbar Beer, produced in Minneapolis and White Seal Beer, to be brewed in the former Kiewel's plant in Little falls, Minnesota.
Logo
Begin: 1960 End 1975
1960 - 1975
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Begin: 1962 End 1975
News
30th January 1963
30th January 1963
For the last time, the Minneapolis Brewery tapped into an aquifer beneath their building. This one was nearly a quarter-mile deep.
For the last time, the Minneapolis Brewery tapped into an aquifer beneath their building. This one was nearly a quarter-mile deep.
Photos
Circa: 1963
Circa: 1963
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_503.jpg_H1052.jpg)
The Old Met Stadium billboard advertising Grain Belt Beer.
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Circa: 1964
Photos
Circa: 1965
Circa: 1965
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1301.jpg_H771.jpg)
A man enjoys Grain Belt Beer in his living room.
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Circa: 1965
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Circa: 1966
1967 Grain Belt Breweries Inc.1228 Marshall Street & 13th Ave, Northeast
Products
G.B.X. Malt Liquor
1968-1976
GBX Malt Liquor
1968-1971
Grain Belt Beer
1967-1976
Grain Belt Beer
1967-1975
Storz Beer
1968-1976
Triumph Beer
1967-1976
1970 White Label Brewing Company (Aka of Grain Belt Brewery)1228 Marshall Street & 13th Ave, Northeast
Products
White Label Beer
1967-1976
White Label Beer
1970-1975
Photos
Circa: 1970
Circa: 1970
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_2333.jpg_H835.jpg)
The big push for GBX Beer includes the GBX Girl, Carol Ghaemmaghami in a fine branded dress.
1975 ClosedJohn Hauenstein Company (Aka of Grain Belt Brewery)