Burgermeister-burgie Beer 16 Oz Tab Top Can

Burgermeister Burgie 16 Oz Can

This 16-ounce all-aluminum tab top can showcases the vibrant "Burgie!" branding in bold red lettering set above the traditional Burgermeister shield logo, prominently featuring the "HALF QUART" designation at the top. Packaged by the Pabst Brewing Company at its Los Angeles, California facility, this tall container incorporates a Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode near the lower rim, marking the late-1970s transition period when automated retail scanning was first introduced across the packaging industry.

Burgermeister originated as the flagship offering of the San Francisco Brewing Corporation (later renamed the Burgermeister Brewing Corporation). Introduced after the repeal of Prohibition, the brand rose to become one of the most dominant regional beers on the West Coast, supported by energetic marketing campaigns, the animated "Burgie Man" mascot, and catchy slogans that popularized the friendly nickname "Burgie!" As the brewing landscape consolidated in the 1960s and 1970s, the label passed through several major brewing conglomerates, including Joseph Schlitz and Theodore Hamm, before Pabst acquired the brand in the mid-1970s to maintain market presence in the Pacific region.

Pabst packaged this can at its Los Angeles brewery, an iconic industrial facility originally established as the Los Angeles Brewing Company (famed for Eastside Beer) before Pabst purchased the plant in 1948 to anchor its West Coast production. Pabst itself was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1844 by Jacob Best and expanded into a national powerhouse under the leadership of Captain Frederick Pabst. Throughout the mid-to-late 20th century, Pabst relied on multi-plant operations and regional brand acquisitions to compete against rival macrobrewers, continuing production in Los Angeles until the plant ceased operations around the turn of the decade.

For breweriana collectors, 16-ounce half-quart cans form an appealing sub-category that stands apart from standard 12-ounce issues. This piece holds special interest for West Coast beer historians and Pabst brand specialists alike, serving as a well-preserved artifact of a legendary California brand during its later years under national management.