E & B Brew "103" Pale Dry Beer Flat Top Can

E & B Brew 103 Flat Top History

The E & B Brew "103" Pale Dry Beer flat top can represents a prominent chapter in Detroit, Michigan brewing history. Produced by the E & B Brewing Company (historically founded as the Ekhardt & Becker Brewing Company), the container originated from the company's facility on Winder Street in Detroit's Eastern Market district. During this era, E & B competed directly with other major Motor City breweries such as Stroh's, Goebel, and Pfeiffer.

The centerpiece of the can's graphic design is the bold "103" numeral, anchored by the memorable promotional tagline "Perfected After 102 Brews". According to the brewery's advertising campaign, the recipe was settled upon only after master brewers conducted 102 test batches, with the 103rd batch serving as the winning formula. The face of the can features this numeric motif set alongside the traditional E & B corporate insignia.

Manufactured for the brewery by the Continental Can Company, the container was distributed widely throughout Michigan and neighboring Great Lakes distribution channels. For collectors focusing on production variations, examples exist with subtle differences in mandatory factory text, tax statements, and manufacturer plant markings. The brewery also produced sister variants carrying "Light" text in place of the "Pale Dry" designation.

Today, the E & B Brew "103" can remains a staple of Michigan breweriana collections and a notable artifact from Detroit's mid-century brewing industry.