Zing By King Near Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Zing by King Nonalcoholic Cereal Can

This 12-ounce straight steel tab top can was produced for Zing, presented under the "By King" banner by the G. Heileman Brewing Company. The label features a castle-turret shield accented by retro starbursts, clearly displaying its product identity as "A Nonalcoholic Cereal Beverage". Along the lower edge, the container includes the mandatory federal statement identifying the contents as non-taxable under Section 5051 of the Internal Revenue Code. This particular version lists three brewery locations in its mandatory text and has been re-indexed in updated reference guides under a revised catalog entry.

The Brand

The "By King" label tied directly into the heritage of Kingsbury, a brand long associated with non-alcoholic malt drinks that G. Heileman acquired in 1970. Positioned for consumers wanting the flavor and packaging ritual of beer without the alcohol content, Zing filled an important mid-century market segment for designated drivers, workplace settings, and individuals abstaining from alcohol. Presented on shelves in standard canned packaging, it bridged the gap between historic near beer traditions and modern non-alcoholic beverage options.

The Brewery

The G. Heileman Brewing Company traces its beginnings to 1858 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, founded by German immigrant Gottlieb Heileman. While best known for its flagship Old Style lager, Heileman developed considerable expertise in alcohol-free production during Prohibition, when producing near beer kept Midwestern facilities operational. In the 1960s and 1970s, the company embarked on an aggressive acquisition campaign, purchasing regional breweries across the United States to assemble a broad portfolio of regional brands. After rising to become one of the country's largest brewing operations, Heileman was eventually bought out and integrated into larger corporate conglomerates during the late twentieth century.

Collecting Context

Near-beer and non-alcoholic cereal beverage cans form a well-defined specialty in breweriana collecting. Straight steel pull-tab cans from this period are popular among collectors documenting G. Heileman’s acquisition history, alternative beverage lines, and the distinct commercial art styles of 1970s packaged goods.