Schmidt Brewery Well, St. Paul, MN

## Overview The Schmidt Brewery Well in St. Paul, Minnesota is not a natural spring — it's a deep well that taps into the Mount Simon-Hinckley aquifer, drawing water that is estimated to be more than 30,000 years old. This makes it a source of true "fossil water," ancient groundwater that has been locked beneath layers of rock for millennia. The well was originally drilled by the historic Jacob Schmidt Brewing Company, which operated on the bluffs above the Mississippi River in St. Paul's West 7th Street neighborhood. Schmidt Brewery was one of the most prominent breweries in the Upper Midwest, and access to deep, high-quality well water was essential to its operations. After the brewery ceased production, the well remained, and the water has been made available to the general public periodically over the years. In 2010, the well was re-opened for public access. Water is pumped from the deep aquifer into a holding tank and dispensed to visitors via a vending device. A sign at the vending machine states that the water has been treated with UV (ultraviolet light), though the current accuracy and status of this claim is unclear — visitors should use their own discretion. Those who have sampled the water report that it tastes wonderful. Total dissolved solids (TDS) levels have been noted to be slightly lower than those at the nearby Frederick Miller Spring, though not by a wide margin. The water has historically been valued for its purity and mineral profile, a legacy of its journey through ancient sandstone deep underground. A cross-section diagram showing the depth and geological layers the well penetrates into the aquifer was once available via Scribd (scribd.com/doc/22857823/Schmidt-Brewery-Aquifer-Context). Minnesota Public Radio also published an article covering the 2010 re-opening, which includes additional history about the well and the brewery's legacy. ## Directions The Schmidt Brewery Well is located at the crossroads of West 7th Street and Webster Street in St. Paul, just off the Mississippi River. 1. From Interstate 94, take the exit for I-35E South. 2. Exit onto West 7th Street and head east (toward downtown St. Paul). 3. Continue along West 7th Street until you reach the intersection with Webster Street. 4. The well and vending device are located near 888 West 7th Street, at the former Schmidt Brewery site. 5. Look for the vending machine setup near the street — it is accessible from the sidewalk. **GPS Coordinates:** 44.929401, -93.123962 ## What to Expect The Schmidt Brewery Well is an urban water source, situated in the historic West 7th Street corridor of St. Paul. The surrounding neighborhood is steeped in brewing history, and the former Schmidt Brewery complex — with its distinctive brick architecture — is a recognizable local landmark that has been redeveloped in recent years. Water is dispensed through a vending device, so visitors should come prepared with their own containers. The well has been reported to be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, making it convenient for visits at any time. Because the water comes from a deep aquifer rather than a surface source, flow and availability are generally consistent regardless of season or weather. The area is easily accessible by car, and street parking is typically available nearby. The site is close to the Mississippi River, and visitors may enjoy exploring the surrounding neighborhood, which features restaurants, shops, and other historic sites related to St. Paul's brewing heritage.