Gottfried Valentin Fleckenstein was born in Hörstein, Bavaria. He was the eldest son of Johannis George Fleckenstein in a family of brewers that stretched back to the 15th century.

In 1854 he and his three brothers Ernst, Paul and Joseph emigrated to America. Gottfried in Ernst soon after started a brewery in St. Paul. in 1857 they removed the business south to Faribault, Minnesota, at a location on what would become 3rd Street East. Joseph followed them and set up a cooperage. In 1872 the partnership was dissolved. Gottfried took sole ownership of the 3rd Street brewery. Ernst started a competing brewery across town in a secluded spot along the Cannon River.

The two Fleckenstein brothers competed for the loyalties of Rice County beer drinkers for the next 30 years. Gottfried died on June 8, 1900 at age 68 years. His brewery closed in 1907.