Schmidt Brewery
Historic brewery complex and beer brand in Saint Paul, Minnesota, whose operations ran from 1855 until 2002 under successive owners.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Schmidt Brewery refers to the historic brewery and associated beer business on West Seventh Street in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The enterprise began in 1855 as Christopher Stahlmann's Cave Brewery and later operated under several corporate names before becoming identified with Jacob Schmidt and, eventually, the Schmidt beer brand. Although the business is commonly remembered as Schmidt Brewery, its corporate and operating history reflects a succession of ownership changes, reorganizations, product shifts, and attempts to remain competitive in an increasingly consolidated American brewing industry. Christopher Stahlmann developed the original brewery into one of Minnesota's largest producers during the nineteenth century. By 1860 it was producing approximately 1,200 barrels annually, and by 1879 its capacity had reached about 25,000 barrels. The brewery exported lager beyond Minnesota and was among the early American breweries to bottle its own beer. After Stahlmann and his three sons died, the business struggled under less experienced management and was reorganized as the St. Paul Brewing Company in 1898. Jacob Schmidt acquired the brewery in 1900 after a fire destroyed his North Star Brewery. Schmidt had previously worked as a brewmaster at Theodore Hamm's Brewing Company and had established North Star before moving to the larger Saint Paul site. The brewery was rebuilt and expanded, incorporating portions of the earlier complex and extending its underground lagering cellars. Following Schmidt's death in 1911, control passed to the Bremer family, who continued the company's growth. Prohibition presented a major operating challenge, but the brewery remained active by producing nonalcoholic beverages and near-beer products, including Malta and City Club. The brewery's continued production capacity allowed it to resume alcoholic beer production quickly after repeal in 1933. City Club was relaunched as a stronger beer, and the company obtained a government contract to supply beer to military personnel. By 1936, it had become one of the largest breweries in the United States. The postwar period brought intense consolidation. In 1954, the Bremer family sold the business to Pfeiffer Brewing Company, which later became part of Associated Brewing Company. Schmidt beer replaced City Club as the principal brand, and the company used distinctive scenic can designs to support the brand's regional appeal. In 1972, after Pfeiffer's financial collapse, the brewery and its assets were acquired by G. Heileman Brewing Company. Under Heileman, the Saint Paul facility produced several brands, including Old Style, Blatz, Grain Belt, and Hauenstein, in addition to Schmidt products. Heileman ceased production at the site in 1990 after financial and corporate problems. Local investors reopened the facility in 1991 as Minnesota Brewing Company. The new company introduced Landmark beer, followed by Pig's Eye Pilsner, worked to revive Grain Belt, and undertook contract brewing for independent beer companies. Despite reaching high utilization in the 1990s, the operation was burdened by outdated equipment, an awkward distribution scale, and losses associated with failed contract-brewing customers. Brewing ended permanently in 2002. Parts of the property were subsequently used by Gopher State Ethanol, but that operation closed in 2004 following community opposition related to noise and odor. Developer Dominium later converted portions of the former brewery into Schmidt Artist Lofts, an artist-oriented residential and studio complex. The historic Schmidt identity has remained visible in Saint Paul through the adapted buildings and the relighting of a Schmidt sign during a 2014 German Fest event, but the original brewery is no longer an operating brewer.
History
The brewery's history began in 1855, when Christopher Stahlmann established the Cave Brewery in Saint Paul. The enterprise expanded rapidly, producing roughly 1,200 barrels by 1860 and approximately 25,000 barrels annually by 1879. Stahlmann's operation exported lager beyond Minnesota and was an early participant in bottled beer production. After Stahlmann died in 1883, his three sons inherited the business, but all died within the following decade. Their deaths left the company without experienced family leadership, and the business was reorganized as the St. Paul Brewing Company in 1898. Jacob Schmidt acquired the property in 1900. Schmidt had worked as a brewmaster for Theodore Hamm and later operated North Star Brewing Company. A fire destroyed North Star in 1900, prompting Schmidt to use the former Stahlmann site for a replacement operation. The rebuilt complex included parts of the earlier brewery and expanded underground lagering cellars. The business became the Jacob Schmidt Brewing Company, and after Schmidt's death in 1911 the Bremer family assumed full control. The brewery survived Prohibition by making nonalcoholic drinks and near beers, including Malta and City Club. This allowed it to maintain production capabilities and return rapidly to alcoholic beer when Prohibition ended in 1933. City Club was relaunched as a stronger beer, and the brewery later received a government contract to supply beer to troops. By 1936, it ranked among the country's largest breweries. Edward Bremer's kidnapping in 1934 also brought national attention to the family that controlled the company. In 1954, competition and changing industry conditions led the Bremers to sell the brewery to Pfeiffer Brewing Company. During this phase City Club was gradually withdrawn and Schmidt beer became the principal branded offering. Scenic can artwork helped the beer gain acceptance. Pfeiffer later became part of Associated Brewing Company, but the group's regional-brand strategy and operational difficulties were not sufficient to withstand industry consolidation. In 1972, the assets were sold to G. Heileman Brewing Company. Heileman operated the Saint Paul brewery until 1990. The facility produced Heileman's Old Style as well as Blatz, Grain Belt, Hauenstein, and Schmidt products. Although the plant reportedly operated efficiently and at a high level of utilization, Heileman's corporate and financial troubles eventually resulted in closure. A locally backed Minnesota Brewing Company reopened the site in 1991. It introduced Landmark as its first flagship beer after a public naming contest, then launched Pig's Eye Pilsner. The company also attempted to restore Grain Belt and used the facility for contract brewing, including production for Pete's Wicked Ale. Production approached the plant's reported capacity during the 1990s, but the company could not overcome its difficult middle-market position: it was too large to rely only on nearby distribution yet too small to compete nationally. Aging equipment and failed contract customers added further losses. Brewing ceased in 2002. Gopher State Ethanol subsequently occupied part of the property, producing industrial ethanol from 2000 until 2004. Local opposition focused on noise and odor. The complex later entered a redevelopment phase, with Dominium converting former brewery buildings into Schmidt Artist Lofts. The site continues to function as an example of adaptive reuse, while the Schmidt name and sign preserve its connection to Saint Paul's brewing history.
- 2014
Historic Schmidt sign relit
[1]The sign at the former brewery was illuminated during a German Fest event, restoring a visible element of the site's brewing heritage.
- 2013
Artist-loft redevelopment begins
[1]Dominium began converting parts of the former brewery into artist residences and studios.
- 2002
Brewing permanently ends
[1]Minnesota Brewing Company closed the brewery after operational, distribution, and contract-brewing difficulties.
- 1991
Minnesota Brewing Company reopens the site
[1]Local investors restarted brewing and introduced new brands, including Landmark and later Pig's Eye Pilsner.
- 1990
Heileman production stops
[1]Brewing at the Saint Paul site ceased for the first time since its nineteenth-century establishment.
- 1972
Acquired by G. Heileman Brewing Company
[1]After the collapse of the Pfeiffer-associated business, Heileman acquired the brewery and its assets.
- 1954
Sold to Pfeiffer Brewing Company
[1]The Bremer family exited brewing and sold the operation to Detroit-based Pfeiffer.
- 1936
Brewery reaches national scale
[1]The company was described as the seventh-largest brewery in the United States.
- 1933
Alcoholic beer production resumes
[1]After Prohibition ended, City Club was reintroduced as a stronger beer and the brewery resumed regular beer production.
- 1920
Prohibition begins in Minnesota
[1]The brewery remained open by producing nonalcoholic beverages and near beer.
Products and positioning
A historic regional American brewery associated with Saint Paul, lager production, distinctive beer-can artwork, and a long-running neighborhood identity. In later years, the business attempted to combine regional brands with contract brewing and broader production programs.
Lager beer · 1954
Schmidt beer
The beer most closely associated with the brewery's later identity. It became the principal branded offering after City Club was phased out following the Pfeiffer acquisition. Its regional positioning was supported by distinctive scenic can designs, which helped differentiate the brand during the postwar period of intense brewery consolidation.
Beer and near beer
City Club
City Club was sold in both near-beer and alcoholic forms at different points in the brewery's history. During Prohibition, a nonalcoholic version helped keep the operation active. After repeal in 1933, the brand returned as a stronger beer under the slogan “Tops in any Town.” It was later phased out after the brewery changed ownership.
Lager beer · 1991
Landmark
Landmark was selected as the flagship name of the Minnesota Brewing Company after a public naming contest following the 1991 reopening. The name referred to the brewery's prominent place in Saint Paul's West End neighborhood. It achieved limited market success and was followed by the more successful Pig's Eye Pilsner launch.
Pilsner · 1992
Pig's Eye Pilsner
Pig's Eye Pilsner was introduced by Minnesota Brewing Company in 1992. Its name referenced Pierre Parrant, a figure associated with the early settlement history of Saint Paul. The product was intended to strengthen the reopened brewery's local identity after Landmark failed to gain broad acceptance.
Contract brewing
Contract-brewed beers
During the 1990s, Minnesota Brewing Company used the Saint Paul plant to brew products for independent companies, including Pete's Wicked Ale. Contract production helped utilize the brewery's large capacity, but the failure of some customers left unsold beer and unused packaging materials, contributing to the plant's eventual closure.
Controversies
1934
Edward Bremer kidnapping
Edward Bremer, a member of the family controlling the brewery, was kidnapped by the Barker–Karpis gang on January 16, 1934. He was released on February 7 after a reported ransom of $200,000. The incident was a criminal case involving the ownership family rather than an allegation of misconduct by the brewery itself.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014German Fest sign relighting
Saint Paul
A Schmidt sign on the former brewery complex was relit as part of a German Fest celebration held at the site.
Outcome. The event renewed public attention to the site's brewing history after its conversion to artist lofts.
- 1991Minnesota Brewing Company naming contest
Minnesota
After reopening the brewery, the new operator invited the public to choose a name for its flagship beer. Landmark received the most votes, while Pig's Eye finished second.
Outcome. Landmark was launched but had limited success; Pig's Eye Pilsner followed in 1992.
- 1954Scenic can series
United States
Schmidt beer was promoted through a series of cans featuring scenic imagery, giving the regional brand a recognizable visual identity.
Outcome. The packaging helped Schmidt gain consumer acceptance after its introduction under Pfeiffer ownership.
- 1933City Club post-Prohibition relaunch
United States
The brewery brought City Club back as a stronger beer after the repeal of Prohibition, using the product to reestablish its alcoholic-beer business.
Outcome. The brewery regained momentum and continued expanding during the 1930s.
Brand decisions
2002
Permanent brewing shutdownOtherBackground
The company was too large for only local distribution but too small for national competition, while aging equipment and failed contract customers created additional burdens.
Action taken
Minnesota Brewing Company closed the brewery permanently.
Aftermath
The site moved through industrial reuse and was later redeveloped as artist housing and studio space.
1991
Reopen as Minnesota Brewing CompanyStrategyBackground
Heileman had ended production at the property in 1990, leaving a major local brewery facility idle.
Action taken
Local investors restarted the plant, introduced new brands, revived Grain Belt, and pursued contract brewing.
Aftermath
The brewery achieved substantial utilization during the 1990s but ultimately closed in 2002.
1972
Transfer to G. Heileman Brewing CompanyM&ABackground
Pfeiffer and its associated brewing operations entered bankruptcy and dissolution amid industry and operating difficulties.
Action taken
G. Heileman acquired the brewery and its assets.
Aftermath
The Saint Paul facility joined Heileman's portfolio of regional breweries and produced several brands.
1954
Sale to Pfeiffer Brewing CompanyM&ABackground
The Bremer family faced stiff competition and decided to leave the brewing business.
Action taken
The brewery and its business were sold to Detroit-based Pfeiffer Brewing Company.
Aftermath
City Club was phased out and Schmidt beer became the central branded product under the new ownership.
1936
Introduce City Club in flat-top cansProduct launchBackground
The brewery was expanding and competing in a packaged-beer market increasingly shaped by canned products.
Action taken
City Club was offered in flat-top cans, later followed by a return to cone-top cans.
Aftermath
The packaging decision formed part of the brewery's broader expansion during the 1930s.
1920
Continue operating through ProhibitionStrategyBackground
Minnesota's Prohibition rules stopped the production and sale of intoxicating beverages.
Action taken
The brewery shifted to nonalcoholic beverages and near-beer products, including Malta and City Club.
Aftermath
The business remained active and was positioned to resume beer production when Prohibition ended.
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