Minnesota's Breweries


What follows is a list of breweries by county and town, as taken from Manfred Friedrich and Donald Bull's Register of United States Breweries 1876 to 1976. (A recent update was made available recently, but not recently enough to be included here.)

The date given is the last known year of operation of a particular brewery. A brewery that shut down due to Prohibition will have a "P" in place of the date. (Minnesota as a state ratified Prohibition January 16, 1919, but many counties went dry prior to that date.)

An asterisk (*) indicates that the brewery is still in operation.

Note: The Register was compiled for the whole U.S.-- not just Minnesota. If you are interested in the history of your area, the complete citation appears at the list of references.


Minnesota's Breweries
CountyCity/TownshipCodeName of BreweryYear ClosedBarrels/Annum
BeckerDetroit Lakes1 Detroit Brewing Co.?-1889500
Frazee1 John Smarkerca. 1875
BeltramiBemidji1 Bemidji Brewing Co.1904-19140
BentonSauk Rapids1 Sauk Rapids Brewing Co.1895
Big StoneOrtonville1aJohn Fey & Son1890
1bJohn Fey1893
1cOrtonville Brewing Co.1896
1dEdward Lammelca. 1905
1eLakeside Brewing Co.1911
Blue EarthMankato1aWilliam & Jacob Bierbrauer1863
1bWilliam Bierbrauer1893 8000
1cWilliam Bierbrauer Estateca. 1905
1dWm. Bierbrauer Brewing Co.P
1eMankato Brewing Co.1950 90000
1fCold Spring Brewing Co.1954 90000
1gMankato Brewing Co.1967 60000
2 Blatt & Boehlerca. 1875745
3 Gassler & Co.ca. 18851000
4 Graeber & Sonca. 1885500
5 Joseph Ibach Sr.ca. 18851000
6aNicholas Petersen1899 500
6bStandard Brewing Co.ca. 190545000
7 Peter Welchca. 1875410
BrownNew Ulm1aJacob Bender1889
1bNew Ulm Brewing Co.1894
1cJacob Bender1911
2aHauenstein & Betz1867
2bHauenstein & Toberer1869
2cJohn Hauenstein1900
2dJohn Hauenstein Brewing Co.P
2eJohn Hauenstein Co.1969
3aAugust Schell1902
3bAugust Schell Brewing Co.P
3cAugust Schell Brewing Co.*
4aJoseph Schmuckerca. 1905
4bNew Ulm Brewing & Malting Co.1916
Sleepy Eye1aG. W. Krammer & Co.ca. 1885
1bFrank Burginger1889
1cAnton Steffen1912
1dSteffen Brewing Co.1914
1eB. SchuellerP
CarverCarver1aB. Hertzca. 1878-1885500
1bAnni Hertz1885-1889500
Chaska1 Gottlieb Beurlen?-18922000
2bFred Beyrer?-P0
2cFred BeyrerP-19551000
3 Peter Ittisca. 1878-18851000
4 George Karcher1879-18851000
5aLeman & Leiverman?-1875365
5bMrs. B. Leiverman1875-18991000
5cAugust Leiverman1899-1905
5dAugust Leiverman & Bro.1905-P
6 George Ulmer?-1875365
Waconia1 Michael Zahlerca. 1885
Watertown1aCatherine Beckerca. 1875
1bFritz Ludersca. 1885
Young America1 A. Schmarse & Co.ca. 1885
Chaska2aOtto Nagelca. 1874
ChisagoRush City1aG. Victorca. 1875
1bFred Schnagl1892
1cRush City Brewing Co.1904
Taylor Falls1aJ. Beyer & Brotherca. 1875
1bJ. Schottmullerca. 1885
1cGeo. Zigner1888
1dSchottmuller Bros.1890
ClayMoorhead1aJohn Erickson1895
1bOle Aslesen1902
2 Larkin Brothersca. 1875
Crow WingBrainerd1aP. Orth1881-18850
1bBrainerd Brewing Co.1885-19142000
DakotaHastings1aFrederick Busch1892 1500
1bJ. L. Busch & Co.1900 1500
1cLaurent & Murphy1902
1dHastings Brewing Co.P
2aFicker & Dandelingerca. 18851500
2bBalthazar Steffen1903 2000
2cMinnesota Brewing Co.1904
3 A. Keinhofer1891 500
4 Samuel Murischca. 1875
DodgeMantorville1aCharles Ginsbergca. 1875860
1bAnna Ginsbergca. 1885500
1cHenry Naegeli Jr.1898 1000
1dFerdinand Schnaglca. 1905
1eAnna Schnagl1911
1fJohn G. Schnagl1913
1gJohn G. & Ferdinand Schnagl1916
2aOtto's Brewery, Otto Schumann1937
2bMantorville Brewing Co.1939
DouglasAlexandria1aAberle Brothers (Fred & Christian)1880-18951000
1bWalter R. Towgood1895-19023000
1cKathleen A. Towgood1902-ca. 19050
2 Carl Volk1869-1890500
3aWegener & Gutheil1876-18770
3bRudolph Wegener, Alexandria Brewery1877-19020
3cRudolph Wegener Brewing Co.P0
3dAlexandria Brewing Co., Inc.P-19360
3eAlexandria Brewery, Inc.1936-19420
Evansville1aJohn & Peter Scwartz1880-1900
1bAlbertina Schwartz1900-1902
Kensington1 Joseph Bisek1893 500
FaribaultBlue Earth1 Paul Fleckensteinca. 1874-1905500
FillmoreGranger1aHenry Hasseca. 1885500
1bR. H. Hasse1895 500
1cBina Engelhorn1896 500
1dGranger Brewing Co.1902 500
Lanesboro1 Radly & Chalupskyca. 18851500
Preston1aYager & Luhmann1900
1bGeo. Riedelca. 1905
1cPreston Brewery1914
Rushford1aLarsen1875
1bJacob Pfeiffer1890
1cJohn Pfeifferca. 1905
2 Oechels & Schauppca. 1875
FreebornAlbert Lea1aR. Weile & Co.ca. 1874-1875350
1bR. Weile1875-1885500
2 J. J. Christensonca. 1874
GoodhueCannon Falls1 Ferdinand Kowitz?-18891000
Pine Island1 John Ferber1892
Red Wing1aJacob Christ1890
1bChristina Christ1894
1cRed Wing Brewing Co.P
1dRed Wing Brewing Co., Inc.1935
1eMid West Brewing Co., Inc.1936
2 John Hartmanca. 1885
3aWilliam Heising1875
3bA. Remmlerca. 1895
3cRemmler's BreweryP
3dThe Remmler Brewing Co.1948
3eGoodhue County Brewing Co.1951
4 L. Hoffmanca. 1885
5 John Melanderca. 1875
HennepinLoretto1 G. W. Kramer Co.ca. 1885500
Hanover1 Geo. E. Weiss1903
Minneaplois1aC. Birkhofer Brewing Co.ca. 190518000
1bPurity Brewing Co.P
2aGottlieb Gluek1880
2bG. Gluek & Sons1894 18000
2cGluek Brewing Co.P150000
2dGluek Brewing Co.1964 200000
3 The Imperial Brewing Co.ca. 1905
4 Karlson & Lundquist1900
5aKranzlein & Muellerca. 1870
5bMueller & Heinrichca. 188510000
5cHeinrich Brewing Assn. (branch of 10d)1896
6aLauritzen Malt Co.1910
6bHennepin Brewing Co.P
7aAndrew Liden1910 500
7bArvid Sundbeck1911
8 Wm. Massolt Bottling Co.1896
9 Olsen & Anderson1896
10aJohn Orth & Co.ca. 1875
10bJohn Orth1883
10cJohn Orth Brewing Co.1890
10dMinneapolis Brewing & Malting Co.1893
10eMinneapolis Brewing Co.P
10fMinneapolis Brewing Co.1967 800000
10gGrain Belt Breweries, Inc.1976 1250000
11aWestphal & Muellerca. 1885
11bH. A. Westphal1888 6000
11cGermania Brewing Assn. (acquired by 10d)1890
12aAnton Zahlerca. 18751500
12bF. D. Norenberg (acquired by 10d)1890 1200
13 Monahan Mfg. & Bottling Co.1890
14 John Tjernaldca. 1905
HoustonBrownsville1aV. J. Fetzner?-18952000
1bValentine Fetzner1895-19001500
1cFackler & Landowski1900-19050
2 A. Schwarzhoffca. 1874
Caledonia1aPhilip Wagner?-1878315
1bP. Schebach1878-1885500
Hokah1 John G. Streigelca. 1885500
JacksonJackson1aG. J. Gilmore1892 500
1bWilliam Gilger1897
2 Evan Owensca. 1885500
3 Mary Winkerca. 1875800
KandiyohiWillmar1 Wm. Gilger1898
Le SueurElysian1aW. Theimer1874
1bTheimer & Co.1875
Le Sueur1aPeter Arbes1893 1000
1bEmil Vollbrecht1898 500
Montgomery1aJohn Chalupsky1889
1bMontgomery Brewing Co.1892
1cHandschuh & Pexa1898
1dJoseph Handschuh1903
1eHandschuh-Richter Brewing Co.1912
1fMontgomery Brewing Co.P
1gMontgomery Brewing Co.1942
2 Perchal & Bazel1896
3aRichter Bros. & Hug1900
3bRichter Bros. (merged with Joseph Handschuh)1903
New Prague1aMinars & Kokes1887
1bThomas Kokes1892
1cKokes & Maruska1893
1dThomas Kokes1896
1eKokes & Piemeisl1898
1fPiemeisl & Rybakca. 1905
2aFrank Raddy1893
2bNew Prague Brewing Co.1895
2cFrank Roemer1899
2dRoemer & Kodedek1900
2eChas. Mickusca. 1905
2fNew Prague Brewing Co.P
MartinFairmount1 G. S. Smalesca. 1878
McLeodGlencoe1aEd. Samuelca. 18851000
1bEdward Lammel1895 3000
1cPeter Eickmann1900 4000
1dGlencoe Brewing Co.P
Hutchinson1aPlotzer & Wetzigca. 1875155
1bEnglehorn & Co.ca. 1885500
1cKleinman & Bro.ca. 19051500
1dJoseph HajicekP
Silver Lake1aW. Chalupskyca. 1905
1bFrank Chalupsky1912
1cSilver Lake Brewing Co.P
MeekerLitchfield1aLeonhardt & Roetgerca. 1885500
1bEhrhardt & Leonhardt1902 1500
1cLitchfield Brewing Co.1916
Mille LacsPrinceton1 Roos Bros.1902
MorrisonLittle Falls1aMaurin & Medved1890
1bLittle Falls Brewing Co.1891 3000
1cGeorge P. Brick1893
1dJacob Kiewel1899 4000
1eJacob Kiewel Brewing Co.P
1fKiewel Brewing Co.1960 10000
MowerAustin1aC. H. Huxboldca. 1875620
1bJacob Weiselca. 1875-ca. 18851500
NicolletOshawa1 Fred A. Veithca. 1885
St. Peter1aMath. Engesser1880
1bM. Engesser & Sons1888
1cEngesser Brewing Co.P
1dEngesser Brewing Co., Inc.1940
1eEngesser Brewing Co.1942
2 Hohmann & Youngca. 1885
3aJacob Stelzer1889
3bGeorge Stelzer1893
NoblesEllsworth1aFrank Romer & Sons?-1903
1bConsumer's Brewing Co.1903-1905
OlmstedRochester1 Joseph Bangca. 1885
2aAdam Drescher1864
2bHenry Schuster1885
2cHenry Schuster Estate1895
2dSchuster Brewing Co.P
3 Adam Stengerca. 1875
Otter TailFergus Falls1aAndreas Aberle1882-18981000
1bC. J. Bender1894-18961000
1cAndreas Aberle1900 500
1dAberle & Bauer1903
1eJohn Bauerca. 1905
1fFergus Brewing Co.P
1gPremier Brewing Co., Inc1935
1hFergus Brewing Co., Inc.1936
1iFergus Breweries, Inc.1948 40000
1jFalls Breweries1951
2 Chas. Brownca. 1880500
3 Jacob Kiewel1895 3000
4 Peter Oehlschlagerca. 1885500
Perham1aPeter Schroeder1909
1bPeter Schroeder Brewing Co.1912
1cPeter Schroeder BreweryP
PinePine City1aAmalie Buselmeier1898
1bBuselmeyer Brewery1910
1cJohn P. Blass1913
1dAmalie Buselmeier1916
PolkCrookston1aAugust Molter1879-1880
1bBurkhardt & Co.1880-18971000
1cRauch, Schnagel & Riedesel1897-18991500
1dJac. Kiewel Brewing Co.1899-P
2 Charles A. Walter1875-?
East Grand Forks1aMundigel, Zengel & Co.1885-18905000
1bMundigel & Hoffmann1890-18923000
1cNicholas Hoffmann1892-18965000
1dWhite & Jarvis1896-18995000
1eEast Grand Forks Brewing Co.1899-1916
RamseySt. Paul1 Wm. Banholzer1900
2 J. L. Bausch & Son1895
3aMartin Bruggeman1897
3bMartin Bruggeman Estate1900
3cAiple Brewing Co.ca. 1905
4aDrewry & Scotten1864
4bDrewry & Greig1867
4cEdward Drewry, North Star Brewery1888
4dDrewry & Sons1912
5aM. Funk1892
5bM. Funk Brewing Co.ca. 1905
6 William Gilger & Co.ca. 1875
7 Frank Horningca. 1885
8aA. F. Keller1865
8bTheodore Hamm1896
8cTheodore Hamm Brewing Co.P
8dTheodore Hamm Co.1975
8eOlympia Brewing Co.
9 R. Koch & Co.ca. 1885
10aMilwaukee Brewing Co.1884
10bNorth Star Brewing Co.1901
10cJacob Schmidt Brewing Co.P
10dJacob Schmidt Brewing Co.1962
10eAssociated Brewing Co.1972
10fG. Heileman Brewing Co., Inc.
11 Roelke Brothersca. 1875
12aChris. Stahlmannca. 1880
12bChris. Stahlmann Brewing Co.1896
12cSt. Paul Brewing Co.1901
13 A. L. Uphamca. 1875
14aDominic Troyer1860
14bFunk & Schweizer1866
14cEmmert & Schweizer1871
14dFrederick Emmert1889
14eF. Emmert Brewing Co.ca. 1905
15 Johanna Wurmca. 1885
16aAnthony Yoerg1896
16bYoerg Brewing Co.P
16cYoerg Brewing Co.1952
Red LakeRed Lake Falls1 August Walter & Co.1897
RedwoodRedwood Falls1 Jacob Schmolca. 1875
2aJohn Weissca. 1885
2bDietrich & Drischel1889
RenvilleBeaver Falls1 Andreas Betzca. 1878-1889500
RiceFaribault1 John Ahlesca. 1875100
2 Brandt & Co.1862-18691235
3aE. & G. Fleckenstein1857-1872
3bErnst Fleckenstein1872-19013000
3cErnst Fleckenstein Brewing Co.1901-P
3dErnst Fleckenstein Beverage Co.P-1933
3eErnst Fleckenstein Brewing Co.1933-196420000
4aG. Fleckenstein1872-18961500
4bG. Fleckenstein & Son1896-19021500
5 S. A. Sheffield1878-18853000
6 Mueller's Brewery1870-1892
7 Paquin Brewery1857-1860
Northfield1aMoes & Grafmuellerca. 1875
1bA. Grafmueller1896
1cHermann WennerP
Saint LouisDuluth1 Camahl & Busse?-1875
2aDuluth Brewing & Malting Co.1894-P14000
2bDuluth Brewing & Malting Co., Inc.P-1940
2cDuluth Brewing & Malting Co.1940-196640000
3aMichael Fink1877-18851000
3bA. Fitger & Co.1885-190214000
3cFitger Brewing Co.1902-P
3dFitger Co., Inc.P-1934
3eFitger Brewing Co. 1934-1972150000
5 C. J. Johnson?-1900
6 Gustav Kiene?-1875145
7aPeople's Brewing Co.ca. 1907-P
7bPeople's Brewing Co.P-195650000
ScottHelena1aA. Menass Brewing Co.1889 1000
1bMenass & Kokes1892 1500
1cMarieska & Kokes1895 500
Belle Plaine1aBirk & Schmitt1876-1878250
1bChristian Schmitt1878-ca. 19051500
1cMethias Schmitt1905-19160
Jordan1aSebastian Gehringca. 18852000
1bSchutz & Kaiser1903 3000
1dSchutz & HilgersP
1eSchutz & Hilgers Jordan Brewery, Inc.1946 30000
1cMankato Brewing Co. (branch)1948 50000
2aHeil & Heilandca. 1875300
2bFred Heilandca. 18852000
2cCatherine Heiland1902 2000
2dKoschel & Mesenbrinkca. 1905
2eJordan Brewing Co.1912
2fJordan Brewing Assn.1916
Shakopee1aH. Hussman1900
1bH. H. Heller1901
1cJ. M. Englehorn1910
2aHerman H. Strunk1863
2bAndrew Winker1885
2cAndrew Winker Estate1889
2dHubert Nyssen1916
2eShakopee BreweryP
SibleyArlington1 C. Klinkersca. 1878
Henderson1aC. Enesca. 1885500
1bJohn Enes1893 1000
1cHans EnesP1500
2 Joseph Ritterca. 187540
St. LouisTower1aFinkca. 1895
1bIron Range Brewing Co.1896
1cIron Range Brewing Assn.P
Virginia1 Virginia Brewing Co.P
StearnsCold Spring1aGeorge Sargel1875
1bJacob Haeman18891500
1cJacob Haeman & Co.18911500
1dHaeman & Oester18952000
1eOester & Hilt18985000
1fCold Spring Brewing Co.P
1gCold Spring Brewery Co., Inc.1940
1hCold Spring Brewing Co.*100000
Melrose1aJ. M. Hemmisch1896 1000
1bMelrose Brewery, Wiesner & Wrede1901 1000
1cHilt & Molitorca. 1905
1dMelrose Brewing Co.1916
New Munich1aJohn Froehler & Sonca. 1875
1bVictoria Froehler1889
1cMathias Pitzlca. 1905
1dMathias Pitzl Brewing Co.P
Richmond1 Claudius Webberca. 1885
St. Cloud1 John Brickca. 1885
2aLorenz Enderleca. 1885
2bSchindler & Co.1893
2cCaroline Merz1895
2dValentine Udermannca. 1905
2eValentine Udermann Brewing Co.1916
3aHerberger & Schmittca. 1875
3bHerberger Brothersca. 1880
3cFritz Herberger1884
3dPreiss & Wimmer1898
3ePreiss & Wimmer Brewing Co.1911
3fPreiss Brewing Co.P
3gSt. Cloud Brewing Co.1939
4 Remely & Thierryca. 1875
5aThierse & Balderca. 1885
5bFrank Balder1895
6 F. W. Zertler1898
Sauk Centre1aGeorge Gruberca. 1885
1bHenry Diehl1888
1cAhrentz & Co.1890
1dAntonette Minette I1892
SteeleOwatonna1aLouis Bionca. 1885
1bMarie Bion1889
1cC. Bion & Son1893
2 Chas. Fuermann Brewing Co.1900
3aKnobloch & Mannheim1865
3bPeter Ganser, City Brewery1912
3cPeter Ganser BreweryP
SwiftAppleton1aStrausch & Ginsbergca. 1888500
1bEdward Ginsberg1888-1894500
1cSalomon Ginsberg1894-1902500
1dChas. A. Pulkrabek1902-P0
ToddBrowerville1aAlbert Minars Jr.1891-19131500
1bAlbert Minars1913-P0
Long Prairie1aGebhardt Rohner1898 500
1bJoseph Slaby1902
1cFrederick Beyrerca. 1905
1dLong Prairie Brewing Co.P
WabashaLake City1 Peter Bech & Co.ca. 18851000
2 James Fitzsimmonsca. 1875310
3aSchmidt & Co.ca. 18851000
3bJohn C. Schmidt1898 1000
3cJohn C. Schmidt & Son1902 1000
4 Charles Wiseca. 1875790
Mazeppa1aJos. Trausch1896 500
1bRother & Manske1899 500
Minnieska1aH. W. Meadca. 1875
1bParker & Meadca. 1880
Reads Landing1aG. Burkhardt & Co.ca. 1875
1bSamuel Burkhardtca. 1885
1cBurkhardt Bros.1892
1dGottlieb Burkhardtca. 1905
Wabasha1aCharles Leslinca. 1875
1bMary Leslinca. 1885
1cJohn T. Ginthner1890
1dRobert Anderson1893
1eChrist, Grass, Wabasha Brewery1911
1fWabasha BreweryP
WadenaWadena1aAnnie E. Ebner1893
1bHenry Ebner1895
1cWadena Brewing Co.1916
WasecaWaseca1 Ginsberg & Bro.ca. 1875
2aAnthony Guyer1889
2bHermann Wenner1896
2cRobert Reichel1900
2dAdam & Ringerca. 1905
2eWaseca Brewing Co.1912
3 Simon Craftca. 1885
4 J. Rawsdaleca. 1885
WashingtonMarine1 Wischmann & Gartnerca. 1875185
Stillwater1aNorbert Kimmick1852
1bFrancis X. Aiple1869
1cHerman Tepass1887
1dAiple & Piper1889
1eFrank J. Aiple1896
2 A. Haase & Hermannca. 1875
3 Gerhard Knipsca. 1875
4aWolf, Tanner & Co.ca. 1875
4bJosef Wolf1896
4cThe Josef Wolf Co.P
WatonwanMadelia1 P. A. Brennes1896 1000
WinonaMinnesota City1aOtto Vill1913
1bOtto Vill BreweryP
Rollingstone1 Otto Vill1896
St. Charles1aHenius & Co.ca. 1885
1bPfester & Waller1890
2 F. William Mullerca. 1875
Winona1aBecker & Neifertca. 1875
1bJohn S. Beckerca. 1885
1cBecker & Schellhas1892
1dSchellhas Brewing Co.1895
1eWilliam Schellhasca. 1905
1fWilliam Schellhas Brewing Co.P
2 C. C. Boeckca. 1875
3 Gilmore Valley Brewery, Brentle, Scherer, & Rathca. 1860
4 Park Brewing Co.P
5aJacob Weisbrod1870
5bPeter Bub1911
5cSugar Loaf BreweryP
5dPeter Bub Estate1935
5ePeter Bub Brewery, Inc.1969
WrightFrankfort1aGeo. E. Weiss1889 500
1bDick Bros.1894 1000
Yellow MedicineCanby1 J. Schmohlca. 1878-1885500


Last Updated: November 1995 (content), February 1996 (layout)


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