Metbrau Non-intoxicating Near Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Metbrau Near Beer from Trenton

The Metbrau Non-intoxicating Near Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can represents a notable chapter in the portfolio of Metropolis Brewery of N.J., Inc., situated in Trenton, New Jersey. While Metropolis achieved widespread fame and commercial success through its flagship sparkling malt liquor brand, Champale, the facility also catered to the market for non-alcoholic malt beverages under the Metbrau name.

Metbrau was formulated as a cereal-and-malt-based beverage containing less than 0.5% alcohol by volume, allowing it to be categorized as non-intoxicating and exempt from traditional federal malt beverage excise taxes under Section 5051 of the Internal Revenue Code. The can’s design prominently featured legal declarations certifying its non-taxable status alongside a specific ingredient panel listing water, barley, malt, hops, gum arabic, and papain.

The Trenton packaging facility was a significant hub of New Jersey brewing history, having operated as the former Peoples Brewing Company plant before being acquired and expanded by Metropolis. During its operational history, Metropolis Brewery became a subsidiary of Iroquois Brands Ltd., distributing Metbrau across regional distribution networks.

For breweriana enthusiasts, this can is an intriguing artifact from an era when major regional breweries rarely dedicated full canning runs to non-alcoholic malt beverages. Minor variations exist across print runs, particularly with corporate text credits and bilingual phrasing intended for broader distribution. It remains a distinguished crossover piece for collectors of New Jersey brewing memorabilia and historic non-alcoholic malt cans.