Question:
I have a salad bowl set that was apparently made for and given to Hamm’s Beer Distributors? My father was in the beer business in the 1950-60\s in NE Iowa. Can you tell me more about this set and/or it’s value?

Answer: In the late 1950s Red Wing produced a "popcorn set" for the Hamms Brewing Company. Hamms gave them out as Christmas gifts to their distributors, and probably also to stores that stocked Hamms and to company executives.

The set consists of a large 12" bowl, four 6" bowls for individual servings, a pair of salt & pepper shakers and a 60 oz pitcher. Blanks from Red Wing’s Casual line dinnerware were used to make the Hamms items. This is the same shape as Bob White, Round Up and several other dinnerware patterns.

The Hamms set was never sold to the general public. While not truly rare, the demand for this set is definitely greater than the supply. The combination of scarcity and and the pretty northwoods scene that decorates these items makes the Hamms set very attractive to Red Wing collectors. Adding to the demand are collectors of Hamms memorabilia. A complete set in excellent condition will sell for well over $2000 today.