Bill has cans from the first released versions of many local
favorites, such as Budweiser, Miller and Coors. He has kept
a copy of each new variation as the beer can designs have
evolved over the years. One of these changes most people might
not remember, are the metal beer cans from the 1930’s that
required a tool called a “church key” to open them. Six packs
made during this time by D.F. Sampson with the American
Can Company, came with instructions on how to open them
printed on the can, along with a church key opener which was
included.
There are different theories about how the tool got its name.
The term “Church key” goes way back and was a simple
device used to pry open a new type of bottle closure that was
invented in 1892 — the bottle cap or “crown cork.” For anyone
unfamiliar with the gadget, a typical church key is a triangular
tool used for piercing cans and has a slotted or hooked part for
prying off bottle caps. Pull tabs for cans weren’t invented until
the early 1960s. Some like to think that the name came from
European monks who first brewed beer and kept it locked up
in cellars. They held the keys to both the church and the beer.
Others think it was a snub directed at the religious groups that
supported prohibition after it ended in 1933. “It is said if you
used a church-key opener (i.e., you drank beer), you would
be less likely to open the door of a church to attend service,”
according to the Churchkey Beer Co. in Bellevue, Wash., at
www.churchkey.com.
An exciting discovery came after a family member, told them
about some six packs of beer dated from the 1930’s, that were
found in pristine condition in the attic of a house in Brush,
Colorado. As Bill proudly displayed them he said, “They
look like they just came off the line yesterday.” Due to space
limitations, he limits his collection to items primarily from the
1960’s and older. He doesn’t include glass bottles because of
their breakable nature.
Originally Bill also collected wild life mirrors, steins and
many other things, but he’s since honed down his collection to
his absolute favorites. He credits his inspiration for collecting
old bock beer advertising posters to a life-long friend, Jerry
Trowbridge, (aka Mr. Bock) whom he met at a beer show in
vLESTERS continued on page 24
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