Manhattan Premium Beer Quart

Manhattan Premium Beer Quart

The Manhattan Premium Beer Quart represents a prominent large-format container produced by the Manhattan Brewing Company of Chicago, Illinois. Manhattan Brewing, located on South Emerald Avenue, holds a storied place in American brewing history due to its deep ties to Chicago's Prohibition era, having had ownership and management links to figures such as Johnny Torrio, Louis Greenberg, and Frank Nitti before returning to legal operations.

Following the repeal of Prohibition, Manhattan became one of the country's most prolific producers of canned malt beverages. To accommodate consumers seeking larger volumes for social gatherings and home use, the brewery packaged its Manhattan Premium Beer in 32-ounce quart containers. These large-format cans, often referred to in period marketing as picnic containers and among collectors as growlers, offered a durable option alongside traditional glass bottles.

Manufactured using the Continental Can Company Cap Sealed format, the Manhattan Premium Beer quart showcases bold brand lettering paired with metallic accents and crisp mid-century graphic styling.

For breweriana collectors, the Manhattan Premium quart is notable for its production differences. Variations exist across production runs, including examples bearing Internal Revenue Tax Paid markings, differences in mandatory regulatory text, and co-branding notes tied to the Prima Brewing Company of Chicago. These quart containers remain sought-after focal points for collectors, reflecting Chicago's colorful industrial brewing past.