Pilser's Maltcrest Brew Near Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Pilser's Maltcrest Near Beer Can

Pilser's Maltcrest Brew is a non-alcoholic cereal beverage produced by the Metropolis Brewery of N.J. in Trenton, New Jersey. Metropolis Brewery, known throughout breweriana collecting circles for producing Champale as well as a variety of regional brands, operated out of the historic brewery facility located on Lalor and Lamberton Streets in Trenton.

Carrying the established Pilser's trade name, Maltcrest Brew was packaged to comply with regulatory standards for non-taxable fermented beverages containing less than 0.5% alcohol by volume. Because near beers represented a specialized segment of the market compared to standard lagers and ales, these cans were produced in considerably smaller quantities than typical commercial beer releases from the same era.

The label presentation features bold lettering and heraldic elements associated with the Pilser's identity. Breweriana collectors track variations of this label across production runs, with differences generally centering on mandatory legal text, line breaks, and the positioning of the net contents notice relative to the seam.

Serving as a piece of Trenton's mid-century packaging history, the Pilser's Maltcrest Brew can highlights Metropolis Brewery's participation in the distinct niche of low-alcohol and near beer brewing.