St. Urho's Brew Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

St. Urho's Brew Collector Profile

St. Urho's Brew was produced by the August Schell Brewing Company of New Ulm, Minnesota, celebrating the folkloric hero honored across Finnish-American communities, particularly in the town of Menahga.

The Folklore Behind the Label

Saint Urho is a mid-twentieth-century satirical creation originating in northern Minnesota. Conceived as a lighthearted counterpart to Ireland's St. Patrick, the folk legend recounts how St. Urho saved the grape crops of Finland by using his booming voice and a pitchfork to drive out a plague of giant grasshoppers. Menahga became the center of the tradition, erecting a prominent roadside statue of the saint and hosting annual festivities.

Can Design and Presentation

The label artwork incorporates the holiday's traditional colors of royal purple and Nile green. The graphic design features Saint Urho holding his iconic pitchfork with grasshopper imagery alongside commemorative references to the Menahga celebration. August Schell, recognized for partnering with regional organizations to issue commemorative and festival labels, produced the can to mark the cultural event.

Collector Notes and Variations

August Schell's regional commemorative cans hold an established place in upper Midwestern breweriana collections. Minor variations exist across printings, involving slight differences in text placement, mandatories, and color hue adjustments. Due to the cultural folklore attached to the saint, this can attracts interest from both regional breweriana hobbyists and Finnish-American memorabilia collectors.