Krueger Real Premium Beer Metal Bar Tray

MID-ATLANTIC. 
Breweriana, Bar Tray, Barware, c. 1950s. 

The G. Krueger Brewing Company operated out of the Newark, New Jersey, area for the better part of a century. Founded in the 1860s by German immigrant, Gottfried Krueger, and built on the previous success of breweries run by family members before him, Krueger would expand his operation in and around the New York City area well into the new century. By the 1910s, Krueger was a regional mainstay for beers and ales. While Gottfried was visiting his home country of Germany in 1914, the First World War broke out thereby trapping him there for the duration of the war. Right on the heels of the armistice arrived Prohibition. Though the brewery would eke out its survival selling weak near beer and sodas, Krueger, by then an old man, died in 1926. Unfortunately, he would not live to see the thing for which the brewery would become famous across the 20th century: the metal beer can … Having honed its near beer brewing across the 1920s, the Krueger Brewing Company was able to rebound instantly following the 1933 passage of the 21st Amendment, which repealed Prohibition. By 1935 they were set to try a novel delivery device for their product. Just in case it was poorly received, the first steel cans were sold in Richmond, Virginia, the furthest point of Krueger’s distribution at the time. The can strategy, of course, did not flop and instead ushered in a revolutionary product delivery method that continues to evolve in our day. Among beer can collectors, The original Krueger “Special Beer” cans are the Holy Grail. Being inheritors of a family collection and collectors ourselves, we have never seen one of the originals; but offer a 1980s replica found at an estate sale along with this fantastic metal bar tray. Given that Krueger Brewing Co. barely made it out of the 1950s once the era of regional breweries gave way to nationally situated corporations, we place this tray (sporting the “K-Man” logo) as circa late ‘50s. These trays were highly popular features of the “in-home” bar and this one in particular is in fantastic shape for its age. There are only a few nicks on its front rim, the back circular edge showing a similar yet standard pattern of nicks and the light rust that comes with it. There is no maker’s mark. But given that the American Can Company and Krueger partnered in their most revolutionary idea to sell beer to Americans in metal cans, we can safely assume this tray is the quality handiwork of American Can, their more concise acronym: “CANCO.” 

Condition: Used Very Good. 
Food / Beverage Related. 
Dimensions: 12" diameter x 1" deep / 14 oz