Old German Style Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Peter Hand Old German Style Can

The Old German Style Beer 12 oz tab top can is a notable piece of Chicago brewing history, produced by the Peter Hand Brewing Company. Established in 1891 by Prussian immigrant and Civil War veteran Peter Hand on Chicago's North Side, the brewery grew into an iconic institution at North and Sheffield Avenues.

Throughout its history, the facility transitioned through several operational phases, including a period under the Meister Bräu banner before returning to the Peter Hand namesake during the 1970s. Under revival ownership that included Wisconsin brewer Fred Huber, the brewery packaged regional labels such as Old German alongside brands like Old Chicago, Alps Brau, and Old Crown. Peter Hand is historically significant as the last traditional packaging brewery operating within Chicago city limits prior to its closure in 1978, concluding the city's historic macro-brewing era until the rise of modern craft brewing.

Design and Collectibility

The Old German label showcases Germanic-style blackletter typography and heraldic crest artwork typical of mid-century American regional lagers. Collectors seek out the can as a representative artifact from the final chapter of Peter Hand's production history.

Manufacturing variations exist across production runs, featuring minor differences in mandatory side-panel brewery text, canning seam construction, and lid stampings. It remains a key collectible for enthusiasts specializing in Chicago brewing history and historic Midwestern labels.