Breweriana refers to items containing a brewery or brand name, such as beer cans, beer bottles, bottle openers, beer labels, tin signs, beer mats, beer trays, beer taps, wooden cases and neon signs, and other promotional items. This hobby started in the US in 1972 when the National Association of Breweriana Advertising (NABA) was organized and it continues to this day. The association publishes The Breweriana Collector four times a year. Other collector organizations that use the term Breweriana include The East Coast Breweriana Association and the American Breweriana Association.
The ABA National Brewery Museum & Research Library helps to preserve the history of America's breweries with permanent and rotating displays of genuine breweriana, ranging from beer bottles and cans to glasses, coasters, advertising materials, and other collectibles. Collecting and preserving this type of memorabilia is a popular hobby with collectors and museums around the country trying to keep this Americana-storied past alive.
Breweriana can make unique and interesting gift ideas, providing a nostalgic reminder of our past and present beer culture. From old-time beer labels from your first microbrew to vintage-style neon signs, there is something for everyone to appreciate.
If you love beer and appreciate the craftsmanship of these old-time relics, consider getting out there and doing some browsing. The connections to our past and the thrill of finding a special item may prove to be a hobby you will enjoy for years to come.
