ABC Select Pilsener Type Beer Flat Top Can

St. Louis ABC Select Pilsener

Produced by the A.B.C. Brewing Corporation of St. Louis, Missouri, the ABC Select Pilsener Type Beer flat top container represents a notable chapter in American canned beer history. Manufactured using the American Can Company's proprietary "Keglined" process—distinguished by its red "Keglined" trademark on the side panel—the package features distinctive graphic design elements and corporate branding that make it a standout for collectors of early breweriana.

One prominent feature of the design is the clever marketing slogan printed on the side panel: "A Better Canned Beer," neatly playing on the brewery's initials. The can also displays the Missouri state permit designation (Permit No. Mo. U-918), alongside the mandatory Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) statement required during that era. Another defining visual element is the detailed multi-step opening instruction panel printed along the side, an early packaging feature created to guide consumers.

Collectors recognize several design variations of this label. Differences among variants include changes in typography, notably the presence of wide or narrow letterforms in the primary "A B C" emblem across the front panel, as well as minor text repositioning such as top-face volume markings.

Originating from the historic brewing hub of St. Louis, where A.B.C. competed with regional brewing giants, the ABC Select Pilsener can remains a highly regarded piece of classic Midwestern brewing heritage.