81 Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

81 Beer Collector Overview

The 81 Beer 12-ounce tab top is an elusive piece of breweriana associated with distributor Beldo & Willmarth of Evanston, Illinois. Beldo & Willmarth operated as a beverage distributor rather than a production brewery, contracting out the canning while carrying their own distribution label.

Distributor Background

Numbered beers such as 81 Beer represent an unconventional marketing approach from the era. Rather than featuring standard brewery branding, the can prominently credits Beldo & Willmarth, Inc. in Evanston. The company distributed a small run of sequentially themed label designations, with Beer 81 and its counterpart Beer 83 being the most recognized among hobbyists.

Rarity and Market Significance

Because 81 Beer saw very limited regional circulation, authentic cans are seldom seen in public sales and remain highly sought after by collectors specializing in Illinois cans and offbeat distributor labels. When documented examples appear at major breweriana auctions, they frequently command high four-figure prices due to their scarcity. Known variations exist involving differences in metal composition and lid assembly across surviving examples, adding further interest for advanced collectors.