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      
                    	
                    	
						
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      
                    	
                    	
						
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 				
			 
		 
				
						
												
			
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					Begin: 1890     End  1920
					                                        
											
											 1890 - 1920
					
									
					1890 - 1920 
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1890      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1890      
                    	
                    	
						
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
					
									
					1893 - 1940 
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
												
			
				Logo
				
					Begin: 1893     End  1940
					                                        
											
											 1893 - 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      
                    	
                    	
						
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      
                    	
                    	
						
Folks camped out front of The Bob Saloon on the prairie.  
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1900      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1900      
                    	
                    	
						
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      
                    	
                    	
						
All aboard the Golden Grain Belt Beer delivery wagon!
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1905      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1905      
                    	
                    	
						
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      
                    	
                    	
						
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      
                    	
                    	
						
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      
                    	
                    	
						
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
1934-1962
Minnehaha Ale
1933-1950
White Seal Beer
1933-1936
 
				
				
										
					
				
			     
			
				
				
										
					
				
			     
			
				
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1936      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1936      
                    	
                    	
						
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      
                    	
                    	
						
An old-timey horse drawn wagon delivers Grain Belt 6-Horse Lager beer in North Minneapolis.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1940      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1940      
                    	
                    	
						
A boy poses in front of a Grain Belt Beer billboard.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1940      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1940      
                    	
                    	
						
Grain Belt beer sign painted on a brick wall.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
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					Circa: 1940      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1940      
                    	
                    	
						
A pile of beer crates in fromt of the Minneapolis Brewing Co.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
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					Circa: 1940      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1940      
                    	
                    	
						
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      
                    	
                    	
						
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      
                    	
                    	
						
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      
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
				
										Advertisement
				
				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.				
			
		 
				
						
												
			
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					Begin: 1960     End  1975
					                                        
											
											 1960 - 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      
                    	
                    	
						
The Old Met Stadium billboard advertising Grain Belt Beer.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
				
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				Circa: 1964      
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1965      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1965      
                    	
                    	
						
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      
                    	
                    	
						
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)