Burgermeister Draft 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Burgermeister Draft by Theo. Hamm

The Burgermeister Draft 12 oz tab top can represents a notable chapter in West Coast brewing history, tying together one of San Francisco's most iconic regional beer labels and the Minnesota-based Theodore Hamm Brewing Company. Originally established by the San Francisco Brewing Corporation, the Burgermeister brand—affectionately nicknamed "Burgie"—became a dominant force across California and neighboring Western states.

Following a series of corporate acquisitions and antitrust divestitures during the latter half of the 20th century, Theo. Hamm Brewing Co. took over the Burgermeister label. Hamm maintained operations at its prominent San Francisco facility on Bryant Street alongside its Midwestern headquarters to package and distribute the brand. The can's mandatory text reflects this West Coast connection, explicitly featuring the Theo. Hamm Brewing Co. name and the San Francisco, California designation.

Visually, the can features the classic Burgermeister presentation, pairing bold draft labeling with stylized typography, gold accents, and clean background paneling. Variations exist among surviving cans, with differences in bottom rim colors, metallic trim details, and manufacturer marks from companies like Continental Can Company and Crown Cork & Seal.

For breweriana collectors, this can serves as a notable artifact of the transitional era in American regional brewing, illustrating how large brewing companies maintained beloved local brands within California's market.