Everything beer — except for the heady foam itself — is the focus of an event at the State Fairgrounds today. It’s the fifth annual show put on by the Hawkeye chapter of the Beer Can Collectors of America. Mike England, the Hawkeye chapter president, says the show is known for showcasing memorabilia from the four major Iowa breweries.There were breweries in Davenport, Clinton, Dubuque and Sioux City.England says the Iowa-based breweries put out several brands of beer and most had ad campaigns — creating cans, adverts and other stuff that’s highly-prized by collectors. England says, though, there’s plenty of stuff at the show from breweries based outside the state.Collectors from as far away as Arizona are expected at today’s event, which will be held in the Iowa Tourism Building on the Fairgrounds. England says beer can collecting is a popular hobby.It costs two bucks to get into the show, and once inside you can buy, sell or trade cans and other memorabilia. The show features soda pop cans and related items, too. England, who lives in Ankeny, has a beer can collection in his basement that’s worth 40-thousand dollars.
Iowa's Radio News Network
