Sterling Premium Pilsner Draft 16 Oz Tab Top Can

Sterling Draft Half-Quart Can

Produced by Sterling Brewers, Inc. in Evansville, Indiana, this 16-ounce half-quart can represents an important chapter in regional Midwestern brewing history. Sterling had deep roots in Evansville along the Ohio River, originating in the 19th century and eventually becoming one of the most prominent regional breweries in the Tri-State area of Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois.

During the era when packaged draft beer grew in popularity, regional brewers began offering draft-formulated pilsners in cans to deliver brewery-fresh flavor in off-premise formats. This can showcases prominent "Draft" and "Premium Pilsner" branding alongside Sterling's recognizable heraldic styling and metallic finish. The 16-ounce half-quart tallboy size was especially favored by regional working-class consumers and sporting venue patrons across the Ohio Valley.

Among breweriana collectors, the Sterling half-quart cans are notable for having several subtle factory variations. These variations feature differences in mandatory legal text on the side panels—such as lines reading "Brewed and Canned by Sterling Brewers, Inc." versus "Brewed & Filled by Sterling Brewers Inc."—as well as minor shifts in lid rim markings and manufacturer seam stamps. Because 16-ounce cans were produced in smaller distribution quantities than standard 12-ounce packaging, this half-quart draft issue remains a prized piece of Evansville brewing memorabilia.