Zing By Heileman Near Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Heileman Zing Near Beer Can

Produced by the G. Heileman Brewing Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin, the Zing 12-ounce tab top can represents a notable entry in the history of non-alcoholic malt beverage packaging. Officially categorized and labeled on the can as a "cereal beverage," Zing was marketed toward consumers seeking a traditionally brewed beverage without alcohol content.

Heileman, a major regional brewing powerhouse based along the Mississippi River, assembled an extensive portfolio of regional labels and specialty beverages. The brewery maintained a distinct presence in the near-beer category, positioning Zing alongside other non-alcoholic lines such as Kingsbury. Among breweriana historians and collectors, Zing is frequently remembered as the "Z" that allowed Heileman to claim a brand catalog spanning from A (A-1 Beer) all the way to Z.

Label Design and Variations

The can face showcases bold "Zing" branding accompanied by mandatory cereal beverage designations required by federal regulations.

Collectors recognize multiple production variations across different manufacturing runs. These variations primarily reflect Heileman's multi-brewery distribution network, featuring differing brewery city mandatory statements on the side panels—including La Crosse, Wisconsin, St. Paul, Minnesota, Newport, Kentucky, and Evansville, Indiana—alongside subtle differences in can metal compositions and manufacturing specifications.