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St. Paul, Minn.

Minnesota, land of 'Amber Waters'

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Orth brewery
John Orth's brewery in St. Anthony, pictured here in 1880, was a busy place. At least four horse-drawn wagons are visbile, along with employees and some of their children. the stoop-roofed building behind the brewery is the malt house.
Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

The interesting and colorful evolution of beermaking in Minnesota is documented in a new book published by the University of Minnesota Press.

"Land of Amber Waters: The History of Brewing in Minnesota" follows the changing industry as it goes from local to regional to national, and back again.

MPR's Cathy Wurzer talked with author Doug Hoverson, who says before Minnesota became a territory in 1849, beer was something you made at home.

Gallery
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Crowntainers
Crowntainers were early cans made by the Crown Cork and Seal Co. of Baltimore. It could be used on bottling lines ans whas attractive to brewers with limited equipment budgets. This container remained in use until the early 1950s.
Photo from the collection of Dave Wendl, courtesy U of M Press
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Orth brewery
John Orth's brewery in St. Anthony, pictured here in 1880, was a busy place. At least four horse-drawn wagons are visbile, along with employees and some of their children. the stoop-roofed building behind the brewery is the malt house.
Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society
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Jacob Christ brewery
The office of Jacob Christ's brewery in Red Wing. Christ was a popular saloonkeeper before marrying the widowed Christina Hoffman and taking over the brewery. It's likely that his contacts among saloon owners helped secure business for his new venture.
Photo courtesy of the Goodhue County Historical Society