American Pickers Season 16 Episode 16 Beer Factor

In American Pickers season 16 episode 16 titled "Beer Factor," Mike and Frank travel to the Midwest to check out a vintage beer can collection. The episode begins with the duo driving through a small town in search of their next pick. They come across a house with an old sign reading "Antiques," and decide to give it a try.

The owner, Tom, lets them in and they immediately notice a wall filled with beer cans. Tom explains that the collection used to be his father's, who passed away a few years ago. He has been trying to sell it ever since and hopes that Mike and Frank can help him find a buyer.

The guys are amazed by the size and quality of the collection. It includes cans from almost every brewery in the country, dating back to the early 1900s. Tom also has several rare and valuable cans, including a Pabst Blue Ribbon from the 1930s and a Hamm's from the 1940s.

Mike and Frank spend hours examining the collection, taking notes and making offers on some of the cans. They also chat with Tom, who shares some interesting stories about his father's passion for collecting beer cans. They learn that his dad used to travel all over the country to attend can shows and auctions, and that he had some famous collectors as friends.

Next, the guys visit a local collector who has a unique collection of beer advertising. His house is filled with neon signs, tin trays, and other vintage items promoting various beer brands. He even has a life-size statue of the Hamm's Bear, a famous mascot from the 1950s and 60s.

Mike and Frank are impressed by the breadth of the collection, which includes items from big breweries like Anheuser-Busch and Miller, as well as smaller, regional brands. They spend some time chatting with the owner, who reveals that he started collecting beer memorabilia after inheriting a few trays from his grandfather.

The final stop of the episode is at a brewery that specializes in craft beers. Mike and Frank meet with the owner, who shows them around the facility and shares some of the history of beer-making in the region. They discuss the recent boom in craft beer and how it has impacted the industry.

Throughout the episode, Mike and Frank reflect on the role of beer in American culture and how collecting memorabilia is a way of preserving that history. They also discuss the challenges of finding buyers for niche collections like Tom's, and how important it is to have a network of contacts in the collector world.

In the end, the guys leave Tom's with a few of his most valuable cans and some advertising materials. They also make a deal with the collector for a few pieces of his collection. As they drive away, they reflect on the unique and fascinating world of beer collecting, and how it has helped them connect with people from all walks of life.