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.
				
			 
		 
				
						
				
										Advertisement
				
				1859      
		                                         
                    	
                    	1859      
                    	
                    	
						Andrew F. Keller, Pittsburgh Brewery
						 
                     
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			1859     FoundedAndrew F. Keller, Pittsburgh BreweryTrout Creek near Stillwater Road
			
						
				
				
										Advertisement
				
				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
 
				
				
										Advertisement
				
				1886      
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1890      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1890      
                    	
                    	
						
The backside of a Theo. Hamm's delivery wagon features a nice lithographed tin sign.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1890      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1890      
                    	
                    	
						
Employees of an unknown tavern pose around an early Hamm's Beer reverse-painted glass sign.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
				
										Advertisement
				
				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.				
			
		 
				
						
				
										Advertisement
				
				1894      
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
				
										Advertisement
				
				1895      
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
				
										Advertisement
				
				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      
                    	
                    	
						
Farmer rides his Reider tractor past an epic Hamm's Beer illuminated outdoor sign on the Lucky Corner Bar.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1900      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1900      
                    	
                    	
						
The Hamm's Beer factory at the turn of the century.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1900      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1900      
                    	
                    	
						
The M. J. Wagner Lunch Room in Elko, Minnesota features a spectacular Hamm's lighted sign.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
				
										Advertisement
				
				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      
                    	
                    	
						
Central Avenue of Greenbush Minnesota featuring the Bodega Bar and Hamm's Beer. 
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1908      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1908      
                    	
                    	
						
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.				
			
		 
				
						
				
										Advertisement
				
				1909      
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1910      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1910      
                    	
                    	
						
The Theo. Hamm Brewery employees pose with a nice corner sign. 
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
				
				
			1916     Hamm Exelso Co. (Aka of The Hamm Co.)Minnehaha Street & Greenbrier Avenue 
			
						
				
				
										Advertisement
				
				Circa: 1917      
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
				
										Advertisement
				
				Circa: 1918      
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
				
										Advertisement
				
				Circa: 1919      
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
				
				
			1920     Theodore Hamm Brewing CompanyMinnehaha Street & Greenbrier Avenue
			
			Products
Canadian Pale
1920-1933
Digesto Malt Extract
1920-1933
Excelso
1920-1933
Ham-Malt
1920-1933
Hamm's
1920-1933
Hamm's Cherry-O
1920-1933
Hamm's Easter Brew
1920-1933
Hamm's Ginger Ale
1920-1933
Hamm's Imitation Cherry
1920-1933
Hamm's Imitation Lemon
1920-1933
Hamm's Imitation Strawberry
1920-1933
Hamm's Lime Rickey
1920-1933
Hamm's Root Beer
1920-1933
Hamm's Special Brew
1920-1933
Legal Tender Malt
1920-1933
Liberty Malt Temperance Beer
1920-1933
Master Brew
1920-1933
Mettler's Special
1920-1933
Minnehaha Pale
1920-1933
Preferred Stock Beer
1920-1933
Pure Malt Food
1920-1933
Theo. Hamm's Non-Toxo
1920-1933
Windsor Club Pale
1920-1933
Zumalweiss
1920-1933
 
				
				
										Advertisement
				
				Circa: 1923      
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
				
										Advertisement
				
				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
1972-1973
Burgie Beer
1972-1976
Golden Lager Beer
1969-1973
Hamm's Picnic Beer
1938-1949
Hamm's Beer
1959-1963
Hamm's Beer
1953-1973
Hamm's Beer
1896-1920
Hamm's Beer
1958-1971
Hamm's Beer
1933-1975
Hamm's Bock
1935-1946
Hamm's Export Beer
1933-1936
Hamm's Preferred Stock Beer
1969-1975
Hamm's Preferred Stock Beer
1935-1953
Hi Special Beer
1934-1937
Master Brew Beer
1933-1941
Master Brew Strong Beer
1933-1937
Matterhorn Beer
1972-1973
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
1958-1970
Waldech Beer
1956-1975
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
					
									
					1933 - 1950 
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1935      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1935      
                    	
                    	
						
A beautiful Hamm's Beer display at the Pub Bar in Eveleth, Minnesota.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
				
										Advertisement
				
				Circa: 1935      
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
									
				1937Capacity 800000 Barrels
			
						
										Advertisement
				
				1937      
		                                         
 					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
						
									
				1939Capacity 800000 Barrels
			
						
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1939      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1939      
                    	
                    	
						
Hamm's Beer billboard featuring a farmer.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1940      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1940      
                    	
                    	
						
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      
                    	
                    	
						
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      
                    	
                    	
						
Hamm's 3D billboard
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
				
										Advertisement
				
				Circa: 1946      
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
				
										
					
				
			     
			
				
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1948      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1948      
                    	
                    	
						
A street scene durring a Minnesota spring flood.  A Hamm's Beer sign is in the background.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1948      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1948      
                    	
                    	
						
The Theo. Hamm Brewery introduces no deposit non-returnable bottles.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
				
										
					
				
			     
			
				
				
										
					
				
			     
			
				
												
			
				Logo
				
					Begin: 1950     End  1980
					                                        
											
											 1950 - 1980
					
									
					1950 - 1980 
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1950      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1950      
                    	
                    	
						
I do not know what is going on with this photo.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
				
										Advertisement
				
				Circa: 1950      
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
				
										
					
				
			     
			
				
				
										Advertisement
				
				Circa: 1952      
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
												
			
				Logo
				
					Begin: 1953     End  1957
					                                        
											
											 1953 - 1957
					
									
					1953 - 1957 
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
				
										Advertisement
				
				Begin: 1953     End  1957
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
				
										
					
				
			     
			
				
				
										Advertisement
				
				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
					
									
					1955 - 1964 
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1955      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1955      
                    	
                    	
						
Roadside billboard with accompanying message from the W.C.T.U.  Courtesy of the St Louis Park Historical Society.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1956      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1956      
                    	
                    	
						
Mr. Odd E. Moe, president of the Theo. Hamm Brewery of St. Paul.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
				
										
					
				
			     
			
				
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1957      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1957      
                    	
                    	
						
Some fine ladies enjoy some Hamm's Beer - Naked.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1957      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1957      
                    	
                    	
						
Large cardboard Hamm's Beer posters adorn the wall of a New Orleans beer joint.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1957      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1957      
                    	
                    	
						
A woman gets some sun on her legs while drinking Hamm's Beer in 16oz cans.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
				
										
					
				
			     
			
				
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1958      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1958      
                    	
                    	
						
A fully clothed man toasts a woman in a bathing suit with Hamm's Beer in 16oz cans.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1958      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1958      
                    	
                    	
						
The Cedar Cellar Tavern on Lincoln Avenue advertises Hamm's Beer.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1958      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1958      
                    	
                    	
						
College guys enjoy some Hamm's Beer.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
				
										Advertisement
				
				Circa: 1958      
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1959      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1959      
                    	
                    	
						
Cases of Hamm's Beer get loaded onto a delivery truck.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1959      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1959      
                    	
                    	
						
Cases of Hamm's Beer get loaded onto a delivery truck.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1959      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1959      
                    	
                    	
						
Cases of Hamm's Beer get loaded onto a delivery truck.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
				
										
					
				
			     
			
				
				
										
					
				
			     
			
				
												
			
				Logo
				
					Begin: 1961     End  1969
					                                        
											
											 1961 - 1969
					
									
					1961 - 1969 
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
				
										Advertisement
				
				Begin: 1961     End  1969
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
				
										
					
				
			     
			
				
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1964      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1964      
                    	
                    	
						
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      
                    	
                    	
						
Hamm's Beer Billboard in Baltimore.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
				
										
					
				
			     
			
				
				
										
					
				
			     
			
				
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1966      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1966      
                    	
                    	
						
A Hamm's Beer reefer car in 1966.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
				
										
					
				
			     
			
				
				
										Advertisement
				
				Circa: 1969      
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1970      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1970      
                    	
                    	
						
An arial view of the Theo. Hamm brewery in St Paul, MN.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1970      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1970      
                    	
                    	
						
Hamm's sign and great hair.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
																	
			
				Photos
				
					Circa: 1970      
					                                        
                    	
                    	Circa: 1970      
                    	
                    	
						
A classic Hamm's Beer sign decorates the basement of this Midwestern family.
						 
                     
											
											 
					
				
			 
			
				
									
			
		 
				
						
				
										Advertisement
				
				Circa: 1970      
		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		                                         
					
						 
					
                    		 					 
					
				
			     
			
				
				
				
			1972     Burgie Brewing Co. (Aka of Theo. Hamm Brewing Corp.)720 Payne Avenue
			
						
				
				
				
			1975     Olympia Brewing Company720 Payne Avenue
			
			Products
Hamm's Beer
1975-1983
Hamm's Special Light Beer
1975-1983
Olympia Beer
1975-1983
Olympia Light Beer
1975-1983
 
				
				
				
			1983     Beverage Company of North America720 Payne Avenue
			
						
				
	1997 ClosedStroh Brewing Co.