How Do I Get Old Beer Valued

sfnative · ‎03-10-2010

I'm sitting here watching BBC's "Antiques Roadshow" and a gentleman walked up with a rather small bottle of cognac, which reminded me that we have stored around here somewhere 4 bottles of vintage WWII Burgermeister Beer. During the war, anything that was bottled, was placed in plain glass - no color tinting. Our "Burgie" beer is extremely pale in color within these plain glass bottles.

Would any of you know how we go about getting this beer valued, if indeed it would be worth doing so? (This beer is 70 plus years old, so is not fit to drink.)

Many thanks in advance for any ideas you might have.

~Rebecca

Marienkaefer2 · ‎03-09-2010

You could start by calling around to auction houses or antique dealers in the PDX area.

You could even call some of the local breweries in town....you never know, there might be someone who has knowledge and interest in these things at one of them.

You go online and do some research. You could check the Antiques Road show website for info as well.

If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.--Marcus Tullius Cicero

tansy · ‎01-02-2011

There are antique dealers that specialize in WWII memorabilia. I'm assuming you've searched online on sites like ebay.

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

Can you try eBay?

I live near antiques dealers. They do the bulk of their business on-line now.

They told me they can bet a LOT more for their items when they are seeking bids from the entire world vs. our local area.

sfnative · ‎03-10-2010

Thank you for the wonderful suggestions. And, no, we haven't done a thing yet, so all of this information is to the point and ready for us to act on. Since DH is an internet guru, I'm going to leave that part of it to him.

My secondary thought was that the bottles are probably worth something. Filled, probably a bit more.

Thanks, again!

Yuban3 · ‎03-10-2010

I'm certainly no expert on old beer, but I have seen cans of Billy Beer from the '70's go for next to nothing. It was almost as if the auctioneer couldn't give the stuff away.

Was Yuban, then changed to Plaid Pants due to forum upgrade, and apparently, I'm back to being Yuban.

DoneTryin · ‎03-09-2010

Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO has a degree program in Fermentation Science & Technology. Maybe you could look up one of the faculty & ask about it? colostate.edu

Good luck!

Luv2Decorate · ‎03-12-2010

On 5/6/2014 VCamp2748 said:
Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO has a degree program in Fermentation Science & Technology. Maybe you could look up one of the faculty & ask about it? colostate.edu

Good luck!

Exactly! Find a beer expert. Preferably not a dude sitting at a bar... Ha! Although after a few, he probably thinks he's an expert. ${#emotions_dlg.w00t}$

straykatz · ‎03-09-2010

Not to be a DEbbie Downer here but vintage beer is not like vintage wine or whiskey.....I think the only thing that makes beer collectible is the can or bottle it is in not the beer itself...but I could be wrong...I'm just guessing because I don't bleeive aged beer is the same as aged wine or whiskey.

DoneTryin · ‎03-09-2010

On 5/6/2014 straykatz said:
Not to be a DEbbie Downer here but vintage beer is not like vintage wine or whiskey.....I think the only thing that makes beer collectible is the can or bottle it is in not the beer itself...but I could be wrong...I'm just guessing because I don't bleeive aged beer is the same as aged wine or whiskey.

Oh, no doubt you're right. But it would still be fun to find out what the bottles are worth. I suppose they'd fit into at least a couple of collectors categories: Beer & WWII memorabilia, maybe even Advertising.

OP, see if Antiques Roadshow is coming to your town & if it is, take the bottles. Maybe we'll see you on tv!