Budweiser Beer Bottle Value Guide
- Period
- 1878-1883
- Origin
- United States
- Materials
- Aqua glass
- Category
- Budweiser bottle
This rare aqua glass bottle represents the earliest era of Budweiser history, produced between 1878 and 1883 when Carl Conrad held the trademark. It is a significant collectible because it predates Anheuser-Busch's full acquisition of the brand following Conrad's 1883 bankruptcy.
What affects the value of Budweiser Beer Bottle?
- The presence of the original Carl Conrad branding significantly impacts the $45-$50 market value.
- Glass clarity and the absence of 'sickness' or cloudiness from being buried can increase desirability.
- Structural integrity, specifically the lack of chips on the fragile applied mouth or base, is critical.
- The historical transition period (1878-1883) makes this a niche piece for both brewery and glass collectors.
How to Identify Budweiser Beer Bottle?
- Look for the distinct aqua-colored glass characteristic of late 19th-century American bottling.
- Verify the 'C. Conrad & Co.' embossing which identifies it as a pre-1883 production.
- Check for a hand-finished lip or 'blob top' common to the 1870s and 1880s manufacturing process.
- Confirm the 'Budweiser' branding is embossed directly into the glass rather than just applied via label.
History of Budweiser Beer Bottle
Carl Conrad was a St. Louis liquor bottler who, alongside Adolphus Busch, created the Budweiser brand in 1876. While Anheuser-Busch brewed the beer, Conrad held the trademark and marketed it as a 'Bohemian-style' lager. This specific bottle style predates the full takeover of the brand by Anheuser-Busch following Conrad's bankruptcy in 1883.
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