Pickett's Premium Light Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Iowa Brewing Heritage in Metal

Brewed and packaged by Jos. S. Pickett & Sons, Inc. in Dubuque, Iowa, the Pickett's Premium Light Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can represents a notable chapter in Midwestern brewing history. The operation was established after Joseph S. Pickett Sr.—a former professional football player turned brewmaster—took over the historic Dubuque Star facility situated alongside the Mississippi River.

During this era, the Dubuque establishment stood out as Iowa's sole operational packaging brewery, making Pickett's an emblem of state pride. The historic brewery location also achieved cinematic notoriety when it served as the filming site for the 1981 feature film Take This Job and Shove It, which mirrored the real-world pressures faced by independent regional breweries navigating industry consolidation.

For breweriana collectors, the can features the clean, bold lettering and crest work associated with the Pickett label. Label variations exist across production runs, showcasing slight design differences such as state deposit markings and regulatory text adjustments. As an artifact from the final era of independent regional brewing in Dubuque, it remains a standout piece in collections focused on Iowa breweriana.