Spearman Ale 12 Oz Tab/Insert Top Can

Century's Spearman Ale Heritage

Originally established in Pensacola, Florida, by entrepreneur Guy Spearman following the repeal of Prohibition, the Spearman brand became a fixture of mid-century regional brewing. After the original Florida operation concluded its run, the brand found a second chapter in Virginia when the Century Brewing Corporation of Norfolk began packaging Spearman Ale under its label.

Century Brewing operated out of the historic Washington Street brewing facility in Norfolk’s Huntersville neighborhood—a storied facility that had previously housed Consumers Brewing, Southern Breweries, and Jacob Ruppert before Century took control of operations. Century was widely recognized for packaging an extensive roster of value-priced labels and revival brands, frequently utilizing designated subsidiary trade names such as the Spearman Brewery Company.

The 12-ounce Spearman Ale tab and insert top can represents this mid-century period of packaging evolution. Manufactured by packaging companies such as the American Can Company under the "Keglined" mark, the can features the clean, bold Spearman branding adapted for the Virginia market.

For breweriana collectors, the Spearman label from Century remains a notable piece of Norfolk's industrial brewing history. Variations exist featuring subtle differences in canning manufacturer marks, brewery text placement, and regional tax lid stampings tailored to various mid-Atlantic and Southern distribution territories.