He was born in Flekkefjord as a son of ship-owner and consul Christopher Beer (1770–1839) and Anne Malene Tjørsvaag (1772–1820).
After 1838 the herring fishing in South Norway declined rapidly, and Beer sold his ships and developed small industry at Tjørsvågstranden.
[3] He exported to Sweden, in addition to covering the South Norwegian market with his products.
[2] The export was conducted with three ships owned by Beer, one sloop and two lesser vessels.
[1] He was also the mayor of Flekkefjord for the year of 1843, being preceded by Johan Andreas Kraft and succeeded by L. L.