Burgermeister Genuine Draft 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Theo. Hamm's Burgermeister Can

The Burgermeister Genuine Draft 12-ounce tab top can represents a notable era in American brewing history, capturing the moment when historic West Coast brewing heritage merged with Midwestern brewing operations.

Originally established in California by the San Francisco Brewing Corporation, the Burgermeister brand—affectionately known as "Burgie"—grew into one of the most recognizable regional labels on the Pacific Coast. Following an antitrust divestment by its former owner, the Theodore Hamm Brewing Company acquired the brand and its facilities, expanding the label's footprint across its distribution network. While retaining the classic brand identity, cans from this era prominently carried Theo. Hamm's flagship headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, in the mandatory brewery text.

The can graphic prominently displays the "Genuine Draft" designation, paired with classic Burgermeister lettering, heraldic crests, and bold graphic paneling. For breweriana enthusiasts, this crossover between the West Coast brand and the St. Paul brewing giant makes the container an engaging study in brewery acquisitions.

Collectors actively document manufacturing variations of this can, including differences in mandatory city text, regional plant listings, and subtle shifts in graphic detailing. As independent regional brands consolidated, cans like this remain a lasting artifact of Theodore Hamm's westward expansion and label stewardship.