Berghoff 1887 Pale Extra Dry Beer Flat Top Can

Berghoff 1887 Leisy Brewing Can

The Berghoff 1887 Pale Extra Dry Beer Flat Top Can represents a notable chapter in mid-century American contract brewing, connecting two prominent Midwestern brewing traditions: the storied Berghoff label and the historic Leisy Brewing Company of Cleveland, Ohio.

Brand Origin and Contract Brewing History

The Berghoff brand traces its origins to 1887, when Herman Berghoff established his brewery in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Over several decades, the label built a dedicated following across the Midwest. Following major corporate transitions and the sale of the Fort Wayne production facility in the mid-1950s, the Berghoff family retained rights to the brand name and engaged regional packaging partners to maintain distribution.

Among the selected facilities was the Leisy Brewing Company, located on Vega Avenue in Cleveland. Established by Isaac Leisy in 1873, Leisy had long stood as one of Cleveland's largest and most enduring independent brewing operations. Canning the Berghoff label allowed Leisy to utilize brewery capacity while preserving the reach of the Berghoff name.

Can Graphic and Collector Appeal

The can features the traditional Berghoff heraldic shield and bold vintage typography, prominently displaying the "Pale Extra Dry Beer" designation. The Cleveland, Ohio mandatory text on the side panel distinguishes this specific issue from versions produced by other contract breweries that handled the brand during the same era.

For breweriana collectors, this can serves as a compelling cross-regional crossover piece. It captures the industry-wide consolidation and contract dynamics of the era leading up to the closure of the historic Cleveland plant in 1959. Variations in side-panel text layout and metallic finish exist among surviving examples from different canning runs.