Burgermeister Genuine Draft 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Schlitz's San Francisco Draft Can

The Burgermeister Genuine Draft 12-ounce tab top represents a pivotal chapter in West Coast breweriana, originating from the era when the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company operated the historic San Francisco, California packaging facility. Originally established under the San Francisco Brewing Corporation, the beloved regional "Burgie" label was acquired by Milwaukee-based Schlitz to secure a direct manufacturing foothold on the Pacific Coast.

This corporate takeover became the center of a landmark federal antitrust lawsuit (United States v. Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company), in which the Department of Justice challenged the acquisition under the Clayton Act due to concerns over regional market dominance. The prolonged legal proceedings ultimately forced Schlitz to divest the San Francisco plant, making straight-steel containers bearing both the Burgermeister name and the Jos. Schlitz San Francisco mandatory noteworthy historical artifacts of mid-century industrial litigation.

Visually, the can features the classic Burgermeister typography centered around the "Genuine Draft" marketing presentation popularized during the period. Among collectors, several variations are known to exist across production runs. These variations encompass subtle differences in mandatory text layout, slight modifications in gold tone and background enamel finishes, and differing seam construction methods, including both glued and soldered side seams from various can manufacturers. The relatively brief window of Schlitz ownership in Northern California ensures that this straight-steel issue remains an essential reference piece for regional California collectors.