Esslinger's Premium Beer Quart

Esslinger's Premium Beer Quart

Produced by Esslinger's, Inc. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 32-ounce cone top represents a classic large-format container from the historic Mid-Atlantic brewer. Esslinger's trace their roots deep into Philadelphia's brewing heritage, operating out of the city's Callowhill district and earning widespread regional popularity for both their lagers and ales.

The defining visual feature on the face of the can is Esslinger's famous trademark character, widely referred to by collectors as the "Little Man" or "King Pin" mascot. Depicted as a beaming, tuxedo-clad waiter wearing a bellhop-style cap, he briskly strides forward while balancing a serving tray loaded with glassware and a miniature beverage container. This mascot was central to the brewery's multi-decade advertising campaigns across billboards, point-of-sale displays, and packaging.

Framed beneath an angular chevron band, the label presents the brewery's distinctive flowing "Esslinger's" script above bold block lettering for "PREMIUM BEER." Below the brand text sits the mandatory brewery statement identifying Esslinger's, Inc. of Philadelphia, PA. This specific version is distinguished by its short text layout and carries the "Internal Revenue Tax Paid" (IRTP) notice, reflecting federal tax compliance requirements in effect during its production era. Collectors recognize subtle variations among Esslinger's quart containers, including differences in text length, mandatory placements, and whether the tray illustration shows a bottle, cone top, or flat top container.