Hamm's, an American beverage manufacturing company in Minnesota, was established in 1865. The factory was started by Theodore Hamm, a German immigrant. Different variants of beer have been produced under the Hamm's name. These include Hamm's Golden Draft, Hamm's Special Light, and the original Hamm's beer. Miller Brewing took over the company in 1999. The brand now has limited supply in North America and its future seems ambiguous.

More than the beer itself, the company is famous for its mascot, the Hamm's Beer Bear, and also the jingle used in the commercials. The bear cartoon was created by Patrick DesJarlait to be used in the company's advertisements. The campaign was produced by the Campbell-Mithun advertising agency in 1952. The commercials featured the bear dancing in a country setting, accompanied by the jingle 'Land of Blue Waters' playing in the background. For a short period of time, a real bear, trained by Earl Hammond, was used in the commercial. The bear soon acquired a huge fan following and appeared on signs, clocks, ashtrays, and glassware. Hamm's bear was named Sascha, after the founder's wife's name. The name, however, never found mention in any of the commercials.

In 2000, a list was released by The St. Paul Pioneer Press called '150 Influential Minnesotans of the past 150 years'; the bear featured as the runner-up on the list. The Miller Brewing Company has discontinued use of the bear in the commercials, fearing that the commercials might be perceived as promoting beer to kids. The Hamm's Beer Bear continues to remains a historic figure.