Gambrinus Gold Label Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

August Wagner Gambrinus Gold Label

The Gambrinus Gold Label Beer 12 oz can represents a significant piece of central Ohio brewing history, produced by August Wagner Breweries, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio. The brewery's roots trace back to 1906, when Bavarian immigrant brewmaster August Wagner established the Gambrinus Brewing and Bottling Company in Columbus's historic Brewery District. Named after King Gambrinus, the legendary folk figure and patron of brewers, the brand served as a core label for the regional powerhouse alongside Augustiner, Robin Hood, and Mark V.

The brewery remained family-operated for decades and achieved national recognition when August Wagner’s daughter, Helen A. Wagner—serving as the company's Vice President—appeared on the CBS game show What's My Line? in 1962. In the late 1960s, the Wagner family sold the enterprise to an investment group, and the Columbus plant eventually ceased operations in 1974. Following the closure, brand rights to the Gambrinus name were acquired by the Pittsburgh Brewing Company.

For breweriana enthusiasts, this can features bold metallic styling and heraldic typography consistent with the brewery's mid-century aesthetic. Variations exist among collectors, exhibiting differences in seam layout and mandatory brewery text placement.