Wiedemann Bohemian Special Beer 16 Oz Tab Top Can

Wiedemann 16 Oz Bohemian Pint Can

The Wiedemann Bohemian Special Beer 16-ounce tab top represents a notable chapter in Northern Kentucky brewing history, produced while the historic Newport facility operated under the ownership of the G. Heileman Brewing Company.

George Wiedemann founded his eponymous brewery in Newport in 1870, building it into the largest brewing operation in Kentucky. For generations, the brewery anchored the regional market with its signature Bohemian Special label. Following G. Heileman's acquisition of the company, the Newport plant continued producing its flagship brand under the divisional designation "Geo. Wiedemann Brewing Co., Div. of G. Heileman Brewing Co."

Sixteen-ounce cans—often designated as half quarts or full pints—were favored for regional distribution and sporting events. The packaging maintained the classic Wiedemann crest, bold typography, and traditional color scheme that had become a familiar sight across the Ohio River Valley.

Among collectors of midwestern containers, this half-quart release holds historical significance because it represents production from the final operational chapter of the historic Columbia Street plant in Newport before Heileman closed the facility in the 1980s.

Collectors track variations of this Heileman-era release. Documented variations include differing mandatory brewery city lines—some listing Newport alongside other Heileman production locations—as well as differences in state alcohol statements and can manufacturer markings from suppliers such as the Continental Can Company. These packaging differences reflect how Heileman navigated regional distribution requirements and evolving labeling mandates.