Burgie Beer Test Can

Burgie Beer Test Can History

The Burgie Beer Test Can is a specialized piece of breweriana originating from the Theodore Hamm Brewing Company of St. Paul, Minnesota. The Burgermeister brand, widely recognized on the West Coast under the nickname "Burgie," transitioned into Hamm's portfolio following antitrust rulings that required Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company to divest the San Francisco brewery. After taking control of the brand and facility, Hamm explored various packaging presentations and graphic updates for the product line.

Test cans such as this example were produced in limited trial runs to review label designs, coloration, typography, and mandatory text placements before committing to full-scale canning operations. The can prominently features the vibrant "Burgie" branding alongside the Theodore Hamm Brewing Company mandatory statement, identifying St. Paul as a primary hub of corporate brewing operations alongside its West Coast production assets.

Because test cans were intended exclusively for internal brewery evaluation and can manufacturing trials rather than retail store shelves, they hold significant historical value for breweriana collectors focusing on Theodore Hamm history and West Coast legacy brands. Variations exist among surviving examples, displaying subtle shifts in metallic trims, background finishes, and layout details across test samples.