Hamms Beer

Hamm's is the name of a former American brewery in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
(Let the record show that there is no relationship with Colonel Chesthams)
The original Hamm's was established in 1865 when Theodore Hamm, a German immigrant, inherited the Excelsior Brewery from his friend and business associate, A. F. Keller (father of famous visionary Helen Keller.) Keller had constructed his brewery over artesian wells in a section of the valley of the Phalen Creek valley near Saint Paul, Minnesota, known as Swede Hollow. Hamm hired Christopher Figg to be his masterbrewer, and by the 1880s the T. Hamm Brewing Company was reckoned the second largest in Minnesota.

His son, William, and grandson, William Jr. inherited the operation in 1903. During Prohibition the company survived by producing soft drinks and other food products, leaving it in a position to expand rapidly through acquisitions after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. In 1968 the company was acquired by the Heublein Brewing Company, which sold it to Olympia Brewing Company. In 1980 Olympia merged with Pabst, which was acquired by Stroh's in 1984 and it by Miller Brewing in 1999, and that in turn by South African Breweries later that year. The future of the brand is uncertain. There is limited distribution in North America.

Several beers are produced: the original Hamm's Premium, a pale lager; Hamm's Golden Draft; and Hamm's Special Light.

The name is most famous not for the company's beverages, however, but for its advertising jingle and for its mascot, the Hamm's Beer bear.



The original jingle, with lyrics by Nelle Richmond Eberhart and music by Charles Wakefield Cadman was derived from a 1909 art song entitled "From The Land of Sky-Blue Water." It was first used on radio and later extended to television. It started with the beating of tom-tom drums, after which a chorus intoned

From the Land of Sky Blue Waters,
From the land of pines, lofty balsams,
Comes the beer refreshing,
Hamm's the beer refreshing.
Brewed where nature works her wonders,
Aged for many moons, gently mellowed,
Hamm's the beer refreshing,
Hamm's the beer refreshing.
From across the rippling water,
Through the whisp'ring pines and birches,
Comes the beer refreshing,
Hamm's the beer refreshing.
Comes a call to cool enchantment,

I remember hearing that jingle on the radio during the ballgame or on the old black and white TV's with the rabbit ear antennas "From the land of Sky blue waters" Wow history.. Man that jarred some old images. My Grandfathers and past relatives who are now gone sitting around and talking watching the game.. Old homes we used to live in.. The cellar I used to be kept in when company came over... Ahh yes memories.

Hamm's was the beer sponsor of the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox in the late 50s and early 60s this is the song you would hear. I think even Hawks games... See what you can find out Commander.

Hamm's is often one of the cheapest beers found on the shelf - roughly $10-$12 for a 30-pack is common. This factor has made it enduringly popular with drinkers on a budget, like college students. The most interesting thing about the beer is that today it is still talked about and many advertisements are sought after. The descendants of the Hamm's family are alive and well, today being spread throughout the country. A branch of the family still resides in MN and proudly honors their heritage and family ties. Check out many bars in northern MN and ND and you will find the Hamm's sign lighting the way home for every Hamm's beer lover out there




I actually have a can like this old one somewhere amongst my worldly possessions. I found it up in Wisconsin actually in the lake and somehow it had been well preserved.
Anyhow I just had a Hamms and once again we have another very drink able beer. It is smooth not too bitter not over carbonated or to sweet like Bud, No funny after taste's and definitely has a good taste to it. I will have to test some more today.
I hope you all realize that this is somewhat of a public service announcement that we all can benefit from. I am actually trying the Beers that we have turned our backs on. We are afraid to try these beers and we should be ashamed of that. With the prices of gas reaching an all time high this year we need to conserve on something so why not go back to the cheaper better tasting beers? Your Welcome.

When the commander and I where young. We used to hang out at a house with some friends Phil and Dave C. Which they shall be known as. Their Mother Miss C. Drank Hamms everyday and used to get pretty wasted and let us hang out and drink (underage of course) we all were about 15-17 years old and she would even buy for us if we needed her too. This is my memories of Hamms looking into Miss C's Fridge and seeing a twelever of Hamms or just imagining her sitting on the couch with the can on the floor next her. After she drank a few all the fun would begin and sometimes the doors of Hell would even open up slightly... Ah yes Hamms Beer. Don't run from your history..
This Beer did not rate well on www.ratebeer.com I guess as usual I have no taste. Remember these people on Rate beer .com ar well educated tasters who know their beers. For crying out load I saw a comment on there from Indiana those guys know their beers...