Railfans Special Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Railfans Special: Dan Patch Edition

The Railfans Special Beer 12 oz tab top can is a specialty release brewed and packaged by the historic August Schell Brewing Company of New Ulm, Minnesota. Produced exclusively for Dom's Drive-In Liquor, a retailer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this can was designed to honor railroad heritage and cater directly to railroad enthusiasts and breweriana collectors.

Design & Locomotive Artwork

The centerpiece of the can's graphic design is an illustration honoring the Dan Patch Electric Lines No. 100. Built by General Electric in 1913, this gas-electric locomotive holds a celebrated place in regional railway history. The can showcases the locomotive in rich detail set against a scenic background, framed with traditional typography and railway-themed branding. The side text highlights its distribution through Dom's Drive-In Liquor alongside August Schell's official manufacturing credits.

Collector & Brewery Context

August Schell Brewing Company, established in 1860, is recognized as one of the oldest family-owned breweries in the United States. Schell produced several private-label, promotional, and retailer-exclusive cans, making their catalog a prominent focus among Midwest breweriana collectors.

Railfans Special serves as a notable crossover item, appealing equally to beer can collectors and vintage railway memorabilia hobbyists. Known variations exist across different manufacturing runs, exhibiting subtle differences in can company markings and label layouts.