News
29th September 1819
29th September 1819
Andrew F. Keller was born in Ensisheim, Germany. He emigrated to America as a young man and settled in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. In 1850 Andrew married fellow German emigree Magdalena Heidt in Butler, Pennsylvania. They headed west to St. Paul, Minnesota where seven years later their first son Julius was born.
In about 1858 Keller constructed a brewery over artesian wells on Phalen Creek, in an area of St. Paul called Swede Hollow (near Greenbrier and Minnehaha streets today). He named it the Pittsburgh Brewery and it was a success. Soon Keller looked to expand the operation and turned to tavern owner and customer Theodore Hamm for funding.
The loan was secured with the deed of the brewery. However costs ran ahead of sales, and in 1864 Hamm took over the business in default. Keller retired and became a saloon operator. He died on February 19th, 1873. His brewery, now named the Theo. Hamm's Excelsior Brewery, would go on to become the fifth largest brewery in the United States.
Andrew F. Keller was born in Ensisheim, Germany. He emigrated to America as a young man and settled in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. In 1850 Andrew married fellow German emigree Magdalena Heidt i... View More
News
14th October 1825
14th October 1825
Theodore Hamm was born in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In 1864 he purchased the Pittsburgh Brewing Co. in St. Paul, Minnesota from Andrew F. Keller, and the rest is history.
Theodore Hamm was born in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In 1864 he purchased the Pittsburgh Brewing Co. in St. Paul, Minnesota from Andrew F. Keller, and the rest is history.
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1859
1859
Andrew F. Keller, Pittsburgh Brewery
1859 FoundedAndrew F. Keller, Pittsburgh BreweryTrout Creek near Stillwater Road
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1860
1864 Theodore HammPhalen's Creek, corner of Minnehaha
1877 Excelsior Brewery, Theodore HammMinnehaha Street & Greenbrier Avenue
Products
Theo. Hamm Bock Beer
1864-1896
Theo. Hamm's Excelsior
1864-1896
Theo. Hamm's Excelsior Beer
1864-1896
Theo. Hamm's Export
1864-1896
Theo. Hamm's Old Lager Beer
1864-1896
Theo. Hamm's Porter
1864-1896
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1886
Photos
Circa: 1890
Circa: 1890
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_2509.jpg_H1001.jpg)
The backside of a Theo. Hamm's delivery wagon features a nice lithographed tin sign.
Photos
Circa: 1890
Circa: 1890
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1030.jpg_H982.jpg)
Employees of an unknown tavern pose around an early Hamm's Beer reverse-painted glass sign.
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Circa: 1890
News
30th September 1894
30th September 1894
Theodore Hamm's Excelsior Brewery sent out 35,000 letters containing coupons for Hamm's Excelsior Beer.
Theodore Hamm's Excelsior Brewery sent out 35,000 letters containing coupons for Hamm's Excelsior Beer.
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1894
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1895
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1896
1896
Hamm Excelsor Co. (Aka of Theo. Hamm Brewing Co.)
1896
Hamm Excelsor Co. (Aka of Theo. Hamm Brewing Co.)
1896
Hamm Excelsor Co. (Aka of Theo. Hamm Brewing Co.)
1896
Hamm Excelsor Co. (Aka of Theo. Hamm Brewing Co.)
1896
Hamm Excelsor Co. (Aka of Theo. Hamm Brewing Co.)
1896
Hamm Excelsor Co. (Aka of Theo. Hamm Brewing Co.)
1896 Hamm Excelsor Co. (Aka of Theo. Hamm Brewing Co.)Minnehaha Street & Greenbrier Avenue
Photos
Circa: 1900
Circa: 1900
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1291.jpg_H1334.jpg)
Farmer rides his Reider tractor past an epic Hamm's Beer illuminated outdoor sign on the Lucky Corner Bar.
Photos
Circa: 1900
Circa: 1900
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_806.jpg_H946.jpg)
The Hamm's Beer factory at the turn of the century.
Photos
Circa: 1900
Circa: 1900
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1015.jpg_H1189.jpg)
The M. J. Wagner Lunch Room in Elko, Minnesota features a spectacular Hamm's lighted sign.
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Circa: 1901
News
31st July 1903
31st July 1903
Theodore Hamm, proprietor of the brewery that bears his name in St. Paul, MN, died of heart failure.
Theodore Hamm, proprietor of the brewery that bears his name in St. Paul, MN, died of heart failure.
Photos
Circa: 1907
Circa: 1907
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_2474.jpg_H1675.jpg)
Central Avenue of Greenbush Minnesota featuring the Bodega Bar and Hamm's Beer.
Photos
Circa: 1908
Circa: 1908
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_2471.jpg_H1389.jpg)
A crowd of people read the newspaper under the broken Hamm's Beer sign of Peter Engel's Saloon in Barnesville, Minnesota.
News
8th June 1909
8th June 1909
The Hamm Co. registers their "Legal Tender" Malt Beverage logo for trademark.
The Hamm Co. registers their "Legal Tender" Malt Beverage logo for trademark.
News
17th December 1909
17th December 1909
The Cooperage department of the Theo. Hamm Brewery in Minnesota was damaged by fire.
The Cooperage department of the Theo. Hamm Brewery in Minnesota was damaged by fire.
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1909
Photos
Circa: 1910
Circa: 1910
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_2236.jpg_H1123.jpg)
The Theo. Hamm Brewery employees pose with a nice corner sign.
1916 Hamm Exelso Co. (Aka of The Hamm Co.)Minnehaha Street & Greenbrier Avenue
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Circa: 1917
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Circa: 1918
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Circa: 1919
1920 The Hamm Co.Minnehaha Street & Greenbrier Avenue
Products
Oxford Club Ginger Ale
1920-1933
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Circa: 1923
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Circa: 1929
1933 Theo. Hamm Brewing Company720 Payne Avenue
Products
Alpen Glen Beer
1972-1973
Buckhorn Beer
1962-1975
Buckhorn Beer
1969-1973
Burgermeister Beer
1972-1973
Burgie Beer
1972-1976
Burgie Beer
1972-1973
Golden Lager Beer
1969-1973
Hamm's Picnic Beer
1938-1949
Hamm's Beer
1933-1975
Hamm's Beer
1896-1920
Hamm's Beer
1959-1963
Hamm's Beer
1958-1971
Hamm's Beer
1953-1973
Hamm's Bock
1935-1946
Hamm's Export Beer
1933-1936
Hamm's Preferred Stock Beer
1935-1953
Hamm's Preferred Stock Beer
1969-1975
Hi Special Beer
1934-1937
Master Brew Beer
1933-1941
Master Brew Strong Beer
1933-1937
Matterhorn Beer
1972-1973
Old Derby Ale(?)
1933-1935
Old Derby Porter(?)
1933-1935
Oldbru Beer
1972-1973
Right Time Beer
1970-1971
Right Time Beer
1971-1973
Right Time Gold Malt Liquor
1973-1975
Right Time Malt Liquor
1973-1975
Right Time Red Malt Liquor
1973-1975
Saint Paul Beer
1933-1937
St Paul Beer
1935-1939
Two Star Beer
1933-1937
Value Line Beer
1972-1973
Waldech Beer
1956-1975
Waldech Beer
1958-1970
Wiener Beer
1896-1920
Zumalweiss Near Beer
1933-1937
News
15th June 1933
15th June 1933
39 year old William Hamm Jr., the president of the Theodore Hamm Brewery, was snatched by “four shadowy figures” and put in a black Hudson sedan while walking to his home for lunch at 12:45 in the afternoon. His kidnappers would later be identified as members of the Alvin-Karpis Gang.
39 year old William Hamm Jr., the president of the Theodore Hamm Brewery, was snatched by “four shadowy figures” and put in a black Hudson sedan while walking to his home for lunch at 12:45 ... View More
Logo
Begin: 1933 End 1950
1933 - 1950
Photos
Circa: 1935
Circa: 1935
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_2524.jpg_H976.jpg)
A beautiful Hamm's Beer display at the Pub Bar in Eveleth, Minnesota.
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Circa: 1935
1937Capacity 800000 Barrels
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1937
1939Capacity 800000 Barrels
Photos
Circa: 1939
Circa: 1939
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1583.jpg_H1120.jpg)
Hamm's Beer billboard featuring a farmer.
Photos
Circa: 1940
Circa: 1940
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1296.jpg_H546.jpg)
A woman stands in front of cases of Hamm's Preferred Stock and Falstaff Beer.
News
23rd January 1942
23rd January 1942
6 weeks after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, H. J. Charles, former attorney for the Theo. Hamm Brewery in St. Paul was elected to lead the U. S. Brewers Association.
6 weeks after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, H. J. Charles, former attorney for the Theo. Hamm Brewery in St. Paul was elected to lead the U. S. Brewers Association.
Photos
Circa: 1943
Circa: 1943
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1119.jpg_H428.jpg)
A man poses outside of the Clayton Tap Room in Waukegan, Illinois. A Hamm's Beer outdoor neon sign looms over his shoulder.
Photos
Circa: 1945
Circa: 1945
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_2641.jpg_H977.jpg)
Hamm's 3D billboard
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Circa: 1946
Photos
Circa: 1948
Circa: 1948
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_894.jpg_H750.jpg)
A street scene durring a Minnesota spring flood. A Hamm's Beer sign is in the background.
Photos
Circa: 1948
Circa: 1948
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1649.jpg_H922.jpg)
The Theo. Hamm Brewery introduces no deposit non-returnable bottles.
Logo
Begin: 1950 End 1980
1950 - 1980
Photos
Circa: 1950
Circa: 1950
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_2648.jpg_H988.jpg)
I do not know what is going on with this photo.
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Circa: 1950
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Circa: 1952
Logo
Begin: 1953 End 1957
1953 - 1957
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Begin: 1953 End 1957
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Begin: 1955 End 1957
Begin: 1955 End 1957
Theodore Hamm Co. (Aka of Theo. Hamm Brewing Corp.)
1955 Theodore Hamm Co. (Aka of Theo. Hamm Brewing Corp.)720 Payne Avenue
Logo
Begin: 1955 End 1964
1955 - 1964
Photos
Circa: 1955
Circa: 1955
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_2398.jpg_H1093.jpg)
Roadside billboard with accompanying message from the W.C.T.U. Courtesy of the St Louis Park Historical Society.
Photos
Circa: 1956
Circa: 1956
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1800.jpg_H554.jpg)
Mr. Odd E. Moe, president of the Theo. Hamm Brewery of St. Paul.
Photos
Circa: 1957
Circa: 1957
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_805.jpg_H853.jpg)
Some fine ladies enjoy some Hamm's Beer - Naked.
Photos
Circa: 1957
Circa: 1957
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1199.jpg_H1180.jpg)
Large cardboard Hamm's Beer posters adorn the wall of a New Orleans beer joint.
Photos
Circa: 1957
Circa: 1957
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1298.jpg_H1039.jpg)
A woman gets some sun on her legs while drinking Hamm's Beer in 16oz cans.
Photos
Circa: 1958
Circa: 1958
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1293.jpg_H781.jpg)
A fully clothed man toasts a woman in a bathing suit with Hamm's Beer in 16oz cans.
Photos
Circa: 1958
Circa: 1958
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1611.jpg_H607.jpg)
The Cedar Cellar Tavern on Lincoln Avenue advertises Hamm's Beer.
Photos
Circa: 1958
Circa: 1958
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1118.jpg_H757.jpg)
College guys enjoy some Hamm's Beer.
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Circa: 1958
Photos
Circa: 1959
Circa: 1959
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1295.jpg_H952.jpg)
Cases of Hamm's Beer get loaded onto a delivery truck.
Photos
Circa: 1959
Circa: 1959
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1294.jpg_H952.jpg)
Cases of Hamm's Beer get loaded onto a delivery truck.
Photos
Circa: 1959
Circa: 1959
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1292.jpg_H938.jpg)
Cases of Hamm's Beer get loaded onto a delivery truck.
Logo
Begin: 1961 End 1969
1961 - 1969
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Begin: 1961 End 1969
Photos
Circa: 1964
Circa: 1964
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_935.jpg_H501.jpg)
A child poses in the yard of the St. Albans Bay Motel in Excelsior, Minnesota. Behind her is a nice Hamm's Sign.
Photos
Circa: 1964
Circa: 1964
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_507.jpg_H946.jpg)
Hamm's Beer Billboard in Baltimore.
Photos
Circa: 1966
Circa: 1966
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_938.jpg_H1624.jpg)
A Hamm's Beer reefer car in 1966.
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Circa: 1969
Photos
Circa: 1970
Circa: 1970
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_405.jpg_H1173.jpg)
An arial view of the Theo. Hamm brewery in St Paul, MN.
Photos
Circa: 1970
Circa: 1970
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_1060.jpg_H968.jpg)
Hamm's sign and great hair.
Photos
Circa: 1970
Circa: 1970
![](imagecache/brewery_photo_650.jpg_H774.jpg)
A classic Hamm's Beer sign decorates the basement of this Midwestern family.
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Circa: 1970
1972 Burgie Brewing Co. (Aka of Theo. Hamm Brewing Corp.)720 Payne Avenue
1975 Theo. Hamm Brewing Co. (Aka of Olympia Brewing Company)720 Payne Avenue
1983 Stroh Brewing Co.720 Payne Avenue
1997 ClosedStroh Brewing Co.