(1863-1919)

By the mid-1880s, Hausmann was the largest brewery in Madison, producing 8,000 barrels of beer a year.  Hausmann's Capital Brewery's proximity to the University and the State Capitol attracted students, legislators and townspeople.  Students would come in with their books for a stein or two of beer and a couple of sandwiches, sauerkraut, sausages, cheeses, and bread.  Lunch was free, and beer was 5 cents a glass.

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Hausmann's generosity helped bring electricity to Madison.  Documents from the city's planning department described how in 1880 the brewery used its boilers to operate a 160-horsepower generator to power the city's first electric streetlights.  Before going public, the first lights were actually in the brewery, and Hausmann allowed local citizens to see them and enjoy a little refreshment.