Neal Ave & 6th St, Socorro NM

Open 9 to 12 noon
1st Sat of the month

Private Tours
(575) 835-3183

Hammel Museum, a retired brewery, is SCHS' headquarters. Brewmasters Jakob Hammel and Eberhard Anheuser emigrated together from Bavaria in the mid-19th century and eventually established separate breweries.  Jacob Hammel set up business in Illinois in about 1870. Jacob's son, William G. Hammel, came to Socorro in 1882 for reasons of health, and in 1886 the building pictured above was constructed to house the Illinois Brewery Company. Beer  was imported from Illinois until  the local brewery went into production. After ratification of  the Volstead Act the brewery was converted to a soft drink bottling plant and ice house.  Commercial brewing in Socorro was discontinued until  the recent opening of the Socorro Springs Brewing Co. The Hammel Museum retains much of the machinery and equipment of the brewery and the ice plant.  It also houses a collection of historical exhibits and artifacts related to ranching, mining, railroading, and social history.  Read more.