Brew 102 Pale Dry Beer 16 Oz Tab Top Can

Brew 102 Half-Quart Can History

The Brew 102 Pale Dry Beer 16 oz tab top can represents a classic piece of West Coast brewing history, associated with General Brewing Company in San Francisco, California. The Brew 102 label originated with Los Angeles-based Maier Brewing Company, taking its name from the legendary 102nd test batch developed by brewmasters seeking a distinct profile. Following industrialist Paul Kalmanovitz’s consolidation of regional breweries under the General Brewing corporate banner, production and distribution expanded across the Pacific states.

This half-quart can was produced during an era when 16-ounce containers grew increasingly popular among value-conscious consumers seeking larger single-serve portions. Cans bearing the General Brewing Company name from San Francisco often reflect the multi-brewery logistics of the company, with mandatory brewery text listing San Francisco alongside other operational hubs such as Los Angeles, California, and Vancouver, Washington.

For collectors of West Coast breweriana, this 16-ounce container stands out for its bold brand graphics, dominated by the prominent "102" numeral and the traditional "Pale Dry" moniker. Variations in production exist across different canning runs, including differences in side-panel distributor text, city statements, and promotional retail price markings printed directly onto the metal. As a prominent budget label throughout California and neighboring states, Brew 102 remains an emblematic representation of post-war West Coast contract brewing and large-scale regional packaging.