Gettelman Bock 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Gettelman Bock Tab Top Can

This 12-ounce straight steel tab top can represents a classic release of Gettelman Bock produced by the Miller Brewing Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The can's design features a deep dark brown and white presentation, highlighted by a central framed shield displaying the Gettelman name in gold lettering above bold typography for the bock designation. Positioned below the main text is a red crest showcasing a stylized white ram's head, the traditional heraldic emblem long associated with German bock beers. Encircling the lower portion of the can is a gold band carrying the cursive slogan, "Brewed in the True Milwaukee Tradition."

Gettelman Bock originated as a classic spring seasonal offering tailored to the strong German-American heritage of Wisconsin. Originally developed by the independent A. Gettelman Brewing Company, the recipe offered a richer, malt-accented counterpart to standard pale lagers. Following the acquisition of the Gettelman business by Miller, the brand was retained to serve dedicated regional consumers who favored traditional seasonal releases. Marketed on its local roots and longstanding recipe, Gettelman Bock remained a familiar sight during the spring season before eventually being discontinued as corporate production streamlined toward national flagship lines.

The brand's roots date back to the mid-19th century in Milwaukee's Menomonee Valley, where the operation eventually became the A. Gettelman Brewing Company under Adam Gettelman. The brewery survived the Prohibition era through non-alcoholic products and near beer, successfully resuming brewing operations in 1933. In 1961, neighbor Miller Brewing Company purchased Gettelman to expand its brewing capacity. Miller maintained the Gettelman Division for years, producing several legacy labels before closing the original plant site in 1970 and incorporating the brands into broader Miller facilities.

Among breweriana collectors, cans bearing historic regional names produced during corporate transition periods hold enduring interest. This Gettelman Bock can is particularly prized by enthusiasts of Milwaukee brewing history, tab top variations, and graphic bock cans featuring iconic animal motifs. Its rich brown color palette and classic heritage phrasing make it a distinctive artifact of Milwaukee's post-war brewing consolidation.