Self Opening States Only
Potpourri
Cans By State
ABC
A1 vs AB
AB vs. A1
Arizona Brewing Company in Phoenix was doing well when AB (Anheuser Busch) opened a new plant in Los Angeles in 1954.
AB was looking to expand its market in the southwestern US and decided to push into the state of Arizona. Within three years, AB threatened A1 with a lawsuit because A1's Eagle (used since 1942) was too similar to AB's Eagle. Avoiding a costly court battle, A1 switched its symbol to a knight on horseback and Lancers Beer (named after A1 brewery executive and major shareholder Joseph F. Lanser) was born. A1 Brewing changed their Lancer can's appearance as shown above. AB spoiling for a showdown came out with the six test cans on the right. The Lancers cans were made under Arizona Brewing; the A1 Carling in the blue can was made when Arizona Brewing sold out to Carling Brewing in 1964. In 1966 Carling Brewing sold to National Brewing of Baltimore and the Carling name in the blue was removed.These cans are scarce as National Brewing began production of 007 and changed this label to the last design they made.
The Beer War was on If you can believe the dates found in the Beer Can Bible:
The twelve ounce cans on the left above:
Lancers (upper left) 1963 Arizona Brewing
JF Lansers (lower left) 1965 Arizona Brewing
A1 (bottom right) 1967 Carling Brewing
A1 (upper right) not listed but guess is 1968 Carling/National
We all know how this beer war ended but my question is: Does anyone think those triangle shapes on the Busch test cans of 1964 from AB look similar to the Lancers 1963 cans?
Draft Beer
National Bohemian's Phoenix Arizona Brewery did not produce this can. However as this picture shows, it was produced at their other three locations. The can on the lower left is from Baltimore and can be found at most shows. Baltimore also produced this label (in two slightly different) Gallon cans. The Miami can on the lower right is a little less common than the Baltimore can. It was only produced in a 12 oz can. Detroit produced the Draft label in two identical Gallons (with different mandatories) matching the Baltimore Gallons. We collectors believed that Detroit should (must) have made a 12 oz can but this can in the top row is the only example to ever surface. It is unique but there should be more. Anybody ever see a Gallon can from Miami?
11 Ounce
Eleven Ounce Cans are definitely a "West of the Mississippi" thing but no one I know has ever been able to give a reason why!
Fehrs
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When Fehr's Brewing closed in Louisville Kentucky the labels were picked up by Schoenling Brewing of Cincinnati Ohio. The labels stayed the same however the Cincinnati cans were self opening where as the Louisville Kentucky cans were flat tops. In the picture on the left, you can see the two different mandatories.
Grace Brothers
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Grace Brothers Brewing was a very prolific brewer based out of San Jose California. Their last gasp was in self opening pull top era cans. Self opening collectors feel privileged that they lasted into our era.
Heidelburg
The Carling Brewing Corporation headquartered in Cleveland Ohio had their Black Label Beer and Carling Red Cap Ale cans standard (mostly) throughout their breweries nationwide. Their third main brand was Heidelberg and it seemed as though each of the satellite breweries could make their own designs for this brand. Fun to collect!
International
IBI had a total of six Breweries that went together to purchase their supplies in bulk and thus share the cost savings among themselves to enable the Breweries to compete against the national brewery powerhouses. To see the IBI Breweries go to "Cans by State", "Michigan" timeline.
Jaguars
Second can from left is not shown from Volume II book.
Natty Boh
The can on the left is from Baltimore, the can on the right is from Miami. As you can see the wording on the white label section differs. The back of both cans show their "more modern" graphic which has the white background. National Boh was worried about losing their customer base while changing the look of the can.
Six For...
The Carling Brewing Corporation headquartered in Cleveland Ohio had their Black Label Beer and Carling Red Cap Ale cans standard (mostly) throughout their breweries nationwide. Their third main brand was Heidelberg and it seemed as though each of the satellite breweries could make their own designs for this brand. Fun to collect!
Schlitz Draught
Schlitz Draught
Similar to USBC 2 119-16 USBC 2 121-4
Rare San Francisco can Tough Milwaukee can
Spearman
Spearman Brewing Company in Pensacola Florida made the can on the left. When Metropolis Brewing Company bought them out, they took the Spearman label and made it in their Norfolk Virginia plant. The Florida can is a tough can to find on grade.
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Tropical Ale
Tropical in yellow zip tops
Very rare on grade Rare USBC II 131-3
Has not been pictured in any book
Tropical Ale in green ring tops
One of only two cans known USBC2 131-2
Has not been pictured in any book
20 Grand Ale
USBC2 132-9 Unpictured Chicago listed first of four cities
USBC2 132-9 Unpictured Chicago listed first of four cities
