Burgermeister Beer 15 Oz Zip Top Can

Burgermeister 15 Oz Zip Top

The Burgermeister Beer 15-ounce container produced in Los Angeles, California, represents a notable chapter in West Coast brewing and packaging history. Originally established as a leading regional label under the San Francisco Brewing Corporation, the Burgermeister brand came under the ownership of the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company during an era of major corporate consolidation. Schlitz utilized its Los Angeles brewing facility to package the brand, with mandatory text explicitly identifying the Los Angeles plant.

The 15-ounce volume was a regional packaging format heavily concentrated in the Pacific Coast market. Frequently marketed as a "King Size" option, it provided consumers an intermediate volume between the traditional 12-ounce container and a full 16-ounce pint. This distinct capacity became a staple among Western brewers seeking competitive shelf prominence.

Beyond its regional sizing, this can is tied to a landmark event in American corporate and antitrust law. Schlitz's acquisition of Burgermeister prompted a significant federal antitrust lawsuit (United States v. Jos. Schlitz Brewing Co.) by the Department of Justice. The federal government argued that the merger substantially reduced brewing competition across California and neighboring states. The extended legal battle eventually resulted in a decisive antitrust ruling that forced Schlitz to divest the Burgermeister brand and associated production facilities.

For breweriana collectors, multiple variations of this label are documented across different production batches. These variations reflect subtle adjustments in mandatory brewery phrasing, corporate line formatting, and graphic positioning across canning runs.