Gettelman Bock Gallon

The Elusive Gettelman Bock Gallon

The Gettelman Bock Gallon stands as one of the most celebrated and elusive prizes in breweriana collecting. Produced by the Gettelman Division of Miller Brewing Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this container represents a distinct chapter in mid-century packaging and Milwaukee brewing history.

Following the acquisition of the A. Gettelman Brewing Company by Miller Brewing Company in 1961, legacy Gettelman brands were continued under the Gettelman Division banner. During the 1960s, American breweries experimented with large-format one-gallon cans designed to deliver draft beer directly to homes via specialized tapping systems such as DrafTap. While standard lagers were the primary choice for these bulk containers, seasonal offerings like bock were produced in far smaller quantities.

Because bock was traditionally packaged for a limited seasonal window in the spring, production runs for the Gettelman Bock gallon were extraordinarily brief. The broader commercial run for one-gallon cans was also short-lived across the brewing industry, resulting in very limited overall distribution before the format was phased out.

Among gallon can specialists, the Gettelman Bock Gallon is widely considered one of the supreme holy grails of American breweriana. Surviving examples rarely surface at public auction, and when they do, they command significant attention and high collector interest. Sporting classic Gettelman bock graphic artwork, it remains a premier showcase item honoring Milwaukee's storied brewing past.