From http://www.hammerbeer.com/family.php Born 1842 – 2nd Great Grandfather – Jacob Egger – Muhlehorn, Switzerland (Swiss German) In 1858 at the age of 16, the youngest son of Zacharias, Jacob, quickly develops the passion for brewing and learns the craft. Using the recipes from his father, Jacob now takes over the responsibility and family tradition of brewing beer. Using new techniques, he boils the mash longer than normal developing a unique flavor. Young, stubborn and ignorant of his father’s methods, he mashes the grains and material for so long and at such a high temperature that when finished he actually needed a hammer to remove the mash out of the boiling vessel. The bottom and sides of the kettle are so charred and dented that family and friends start calling the beverage “Hammer drink”. The term “Hammer” is now used to refer to him and his process as a nickname. “HAMMER” beer is sold to local townships.

07/22/1864 – Jacob Egger was listed as MIA and eventually taken prisoner in Atlanta, Georgia by the Confederate Army. What kept him alive and in good comfort was his ability to make strong “HAMMER” beer for the thirsty Confederates. The term get “Hammered” originates because beer provided comfort over the miserable conditions.