Augsburger Dark Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Augsburger Dark Beer Can Overview

This 12-ounce crimped steel tab top can was produced for Augsburger Dark Beer by the Jos. Huber Brewing Company of Monroe, Wisconsin. The label graphics emphasize traditional Old World aesthetics, featuring an oval central crest framed in gold against a deep brown body. Inside the crest, a stylized crowned emblem marked with the letter "A" is flanked by grain sheaves, accompanied by the descriptors "Renowned Excellence" and "Old World Bavarian Style Beer," with "Dark Augsburger Beer" encircling the top rim band.

Augsburger was introduced by Joseph Huber as an all-malt, super-premium product line designed to compete directly with German imports and upscale domestic lagers. Marketed heavily on its adherence to traditional Bavarian brewing heritage, the Augsburger brand—including this Dark variation—gained widespread acclaim and regional distribution throughout the Midwest. The line became Huber's flagship offering during the 1970s and 1980s before the brand rights were acquired by the Stroh Brewery Company in 1988.

The Jos. Huber Brewing Company traced its origins in Monroe back to the mid-nineteenth century, operating under various owners (including the Blumer Brewing Company) before navigating Prohibition through the production of near-beer and ice cream. Joseph Huber acquired an interest in the operation and renamed the enterprise in the 1940s. While countless regional breweries closed due to post-war industrial consolidation, Huber remained resilient through contract packing and premium proprietary recipes, eventually transitioning into what is known today as Minhas Craft Brewery.

Among breweriana collectors, this can holds significance as a classic example of Wisconsin brewing history during the pull-tab era. It reflects a pivotal moment when small regional breweries successfully established super-premium product tiers prior to the emergence of modern craft brewing.