Old Chicago Lager Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Old Chicago Lager by Peter Hand

The Old Chicago Lager Beer can holds a significant place in breweriana history as an artifact from the historic Peter Hand Brewing Company of Chicago, Illinois. Established in 1891 by Prussian immigrant and Civil War veteran Peter Hand, the brewery grew into one of the city's most recognized beverage institutions.

Old Chicago served as a proud regional label celebrating the brewery's deep hometown heritage. The can is especially newsworthy among collectors because Peter Hand was the final historic macro-scale packaging brewery operating inside Chicago's city limits before shuttering in the late 1970s, marking the end of a long brewing tradition in the city prior to the modern craft movement.

The can's graphic presentation showcases classic mid-century typography and traditional heraldic branding that emphasizes its Chicago identity. Collectors have identified variations across different production runs, featuring subtle differences in canning marks, mandatory statements, and text placement. As a centerpiece of late-era Chicago brewing history, this can remains a popular staple for Midwest and regional brewery collections.