Ernst Fleckenstein was born in Bavaria to a family of brewers. In 1854 Ernst emigrated to America with his brothers Gottfried, Paul and Joseph. They immediately established themselves in Minnesota and within the year Ernst and Gottfried started a small 15 barrel brewery in St. Paul. In 1857 they relocated the brewery south to Faribault on what would become east 3rd Street. In 1872 the partnership was dissolved. Gottfried, the elder brother, took sole ownership of the existing brewery. Ernst started a competing brewery in a secluded spot along the Straight River and for the next 30 years the two brothers battled for the loyalties of Rice County beer drinkers.

Ernst died on October 10, 1901. His Ernst Fleckenstein Brewery in Faribault survived him by 63 years, and finally closed down in 1964.