Jacob Bierbauer was born to a family of brewers in Einselthum, Pfalz, Bavaria. He and his five brothers, Charles, Louis, William, Henry, and Simon, emigrated to America in 1849. They settled in Oneida County New York, where they likely worked in Charles's brewery on the West End of Utica. After living in New York for five years, William and Jacob settled in Mankato Minnesota. In 1856 they established the first brewery in Blue Earth County. In 1863 Jacob left the partnership to deal in grain, and later malt. The brewery continued with William at the helm, through Prohibition, finally closing down in 1955.

Captain Wilhelm "William" Bierbauer was born to a family of brewers in Einselthum, Pfalz, Bavaria. He and his five brothers, Charles, Louis, Jacob, Henry, and Simon, emigrated to America in 1849. They settled in Oneida County New York, where they likely worked in Charles's brewery on the West End of Utica.

After living in New York for five years, William and Jacob moved to Mankato Minnesota. In 1856 they established the first brewery in Blue Earth County. In 1863 Jacob left the partnership to deal in grain, and later malt. The brewery continued with William as sole proprietor for another 31 years, until his death on March 1st, 1896.

Upon his death the Mankato Brewery was run by his estate, then in 1903 his wife Louisa assumed control. The firm not only survived these tumultuous times but thrived. It even survived National Prohibition for thirteen years. Brewing operations resumed in 1933 after repeal. In 1951 the company was purchased by the Cold Spring Brewery, who ran it for a few years as a branch before shutting it down for good in 1954.