Berghoff 1887 Extra Pale Dry Beer Cone Top Can

Berghoff 1887 Pale Extra Dry Cone Top

This 12-ounce low-profile cone top can showcases the signature design used by the Berghoff Brewing Corporation of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The front label features bold cursive "Berghoff" lettering positioned below three stars, set against large outline numerals highlighting "1887." Centered on the can is the brewery's heraldic crest—a stylized eagle perched above a bordered letter "B" under an "ESTABLISHED" header. The lower portion of the body identifies the style as "Pale EXTRA Dry BEER," while the bottom metallic band designates the brewer as the Berghoff Brewing Corp. of Fort Wayne.

The "1887" brand was developed to honor the founding year of the original Berghoff enterprise and to emphasize the company’s deep roots in traditional German brewing methods. Positioned as a crisp, pale extra-dry lager, the beer targeted midwestern consumers seeking a clean and refreshing profile. The Berghoff name achieved widespread recognition across the region, bolstered in part by its close association with the landmark Berghoff Restaurant in Chicago, which held the city's historic post-Prohibition Liquor License No. 1. Although the brand eventually transitioned to contract brewing agreements after mid-century industry shifts, the name endured as an iconic regional trademark.

The brewery was founded in Fort Wayne in 1887 by Herman Berghoff and his brothers, immigrants from Dortmund, Germany. Through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the operation expanded rapidly to become one of Indiana's premier regional breweries. During Prohibition, the company survived by manufacturing near-beer and soft drinks under the name Berghoff Products Company. With the repeal of the Volstead Act in 1933, the business was reorganized as the Berghoff Brewing Corporation and resumed commercial beer production. Berghoff operated independently until 1954, when the facility was sold to the Falstaff Brewing Corporation.

For breweriana enthusiasts, mid-century cone top cans from Indiana hold significant appeal due to the state's rich brewing heritage. The distinct heraldic imagery and classic typography make Berghoff cone tops widely appreciated centerpieces among collectors of vintage packaging.