I have been collecting cans since the 1970s. I am not a super serious collector. I am just in it for the fun of it. The collection is mostly American 12oz straight steel flats and tabs, with some soda cans, novelties, and foreigns mixed in. I don’t collect aluminums, crimps, or much of anything that post dates 1980. America’s first beer can, the Krueger K-man (similar to the can at the left, but without the black cap) was a 12 oz. straight steel, so that is what my collection is modeled after.

I am not a cone top collector, with the exception of this one vintage Dawson’s quart cone that I uncovered with my metal detector in the 1980s, and keep around to prove that beer actually was marketed in such a novel container.

Some of my cans were acquired at trade shows and Canvention, some were purchased on-line, and some were dumped, as in unearthed from landfills, old dumps and the like.

I am not a purist, as far as condition is concerned. The can has to look nice on the shelf. If it has a little rust here and there, I am okay with that. I discovered a long time ago that having a collection of only pristine condition cans probably means spending big $. Many collectors do that. I am just not one of them.

Most of my cans have interesting graphics, bright colors, or both. Other than the general 12 oz. straight-steel requirement, I don’t have any other limiting criteria. If I like how it looks on the shelf, I’ll add it to the collection.

My organization, the BCCA, formerly the Beer Can Collectors of America, now the Brewery Collectibles Club of America, has terrific information about cans and other brewery collectibles. Here’s the link:

www.bcca.com

We’re always looking for new members with a passion for beer collectibles or any aspect of the brewing industry. If you are one of those, you should join our club!