Bob's Special Beer 12 Oz Stay Top Can

August Schell's Bob's Special Can

Bob's Special Beer is a notable private-label container produced by the historic August Schell Brewing Company of New Ulm, Minnesota. Founded in 1860, August Schell frequently partnered with local establishments, regional organizations, and breweriana enthusiasts to package custom commemorative labels.

Origins and Association

This label was commissioned specifically for Bob Keenan, an active figure in the regional breweriana community who was associated with Dom's Drive-In Liquors in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Text on the can explicitly documents that the beverage was packaged especially for Bob Keenan, highlighting the historical relationship between local breweries and collector culture.

Design and Visual Motif

The label art is highlighted by an illustration of a vintage biplane in flight, framed by classic typography and decorative scrollwork. Over the course of its production runs, the graphic appeared across multiple metallic finishes and background color variations, including editions rendered in copper, pink, yellow, blue, and metallic purple.

Collector Significance

In addition to general retail distribution through Dom's Drive-In Liquors, releases of the Bob's Special brand were tied to Beer Can Collectors of America (BCCA) chapter events and regional collector conventions held in the Twin Cities area. It remains a well-documented piece of Minnesota brewing history and a popular item among August Schell specialty label collectors.