Crest

[stringsx24now]

No, not the toothpaste.

USBC 52-13. Crest beer, by Crest Brewing.
Just happened to randomly open a page in the USBC and my eye fell onto this unobtrusive can, one that I have never noticed or paid attention too before. I see that this one-off can has no other different-sized or shaped brothers, and seemingly no varieties. I am familiar with many, but not all, older breweries that have canned beer in flats or cones, but have not heard of this one.

I can see why I have not really noticed it before, being fairly plain, and surrounded by much more interesting cans: Pilgrim Ales of various types, Cream Tops, Lemon Heads....even multiple boring Country Clubs and kinda-sorta ugly Cremo's. I see it is a Chicago can, and rated with a $20 value at time of publication, so I would expect that it should be a fairly common flat, especially in the Midwest--except that I don't ever recall seeing it. Not that I have looked. I also wonder if it is one of those brews really made by a known brewery, but incognito ("Crest" really by.....?). I have never heard of anyone talking about it, or ever seen any breweriana or other advertising for it. (The Rodney Dangerfield of beercans?)

Anyone have one in their collection? Chicago guys: easy or elusive? Still a $20 can, or is it vastly undervalued? Anyone have any thoughts?

[Joe Older]

I have one but really couldn't tell you much about it. Don't even remember where or when I got it but I've had it a while. Dan Morean has one on his site for $150 right now. I don't think I paid that much for mine but honestly do not remember. OK, other than the picture I'm really not much help!

[pinnacle-project]

It does not look familiar to me but I could have overlooked it. It seems like there are countless cans from Chicago so it would be easy to overlook one.

Here's a picture to help people remember the can.

[Kotto]

I know that Chicago cans have been found pretty much all over the country, but it seems that the resort areas of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Missouri have been where the most variety and quantity have been dug. This makes sense, given that delivery by truck and rail would have been relatively economical compared to places farther away.

I spent countless weekends finding dumps in the Missouri Ozarks from about 1976 to 2006, and still try to get out there a couple of times a year. Between me and the other Ozark regulars, we have found thousands of great Chicago cans, including hundreds of different brands and variations. I can't speak for Bob, Andy, or the late Paul King, but I can tell you how may Crest cans I've found in nearly 45 years of dumping: ONE

[eric]

I noticed I didn't have that homely low-valued can about 5 years ago and have never seen a cheap (or even expensive) dumper for sale at a show. However, I have seen a couple of dumpers on people's shelves over the last few years, who are regular posters here, so there are some out there. Interestingly, neither remembered where they got the can. I can't speak to on-grade stuff since I don't really pay attention to that.

[Beercanpete]

This seems like a can where if you follow eBay every day, you'll probably have a chance at a couple of them over the course of a year. I picked one up that way a few years ago, but can't remember what I paid. I do think these are a lot easier to find on-grade then dumpers--don't think I've ever actually seen a dumper in person. Makes me wonder, did someone score a case or two in the back room of a liquor store 50 years ago or something like that?

[baartz]

Mine is on-grade and air-sealed. It was obviously not filled. I've never seen a dumper.

[Kotto]

Like you guys, I've seen more indoor specimens than dumpers. Here's my can....

[Clarkston1]

Found this photo of part of the collection from the late Paul King. RIP
Crest and other great cans and brewerania.

[Rockbob]

Its one of those off brands put out by Canadian Ace. Ive never seen a dumper until just now on Kotto's post. The good guys at Beer Cans Plus had one for $100 at one time,