Burgermeister Beer Flat Top Can

Schlitz Era Burgermeister Can

Produced under the mandatory line attributing production to the Burgermeister Division of Schlitz in Los Angeles, California, this can marks a significant chapter in West Coast brewing and corporate legal history.

Historical and Antitrust Significance

Burgermeister was long established as one of California's most recognizable regional beer labels, originally brewed by the San Francisco Brewing Corporation. In late 1961, brewing powerhouse Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company acquired the brand and its brewing assets to expand its market presence across the western United States.

The acquisition triggered national attention and culminated in a landmark federal antitrust lawsuit, United States v. Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company. The U.S. Department of Justice argued that Schlitz's takeover of Burgermeister substantially lessened competition across regional beer markets in violation of Section 7 of the Clayton Act. Following extensive litigation through the federal court system, Schlitz was ultimately ordered to divest its Burgermeister operations. Cans bearing the Los Angeles Schlitz mandatory line serve as direct physical artifacts of this brief and contentious corporate era.

Visual Features and Collector Interest

The can retains the classic Burgermeister aesthetic, featuring a metallic finish, bold central typography, and traditional medal emblems, complemented by the brand's long-running slogan, "A Truly Fine Pale Beer". While San Francisco was the historical hub for the brand, examples carrying the Los Angeles brewery mandatory line are particularly sought after by West Coast breweriana collectors.

Multiple variations exist among surviving examples, characterized by subtle differences in side-panel legal phrasing, medal sizing, and manufacturer markings. These production differences, combined with the brand's historic antitrust legacy, make the Los Angeles Schlitz mandatory can an intriguing addition to regional collections.