Apex Beer Cone Top Can

Apex Beer Cone Top from Seattle

The Apex Beer 12-ounce low-profile cone top can dates from the mid-1930s post-Prohibition era. Manufactured by the Continental Can Company, the can incorporates an Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) statement alongside a mandatory alcohol content caption. The front display is defined by a bold Art Deco graphic featuring a stylized triangular mountain peak enclosed by circular bands, flanked by six-pointed stars, and anchored by the brand's trademark slogan, "The Peak of Perfection".

Apex Beer was introduced to re-establish the presence of the pioneering Hemrich brewing family in the Pacific Northwest market after the repeal of Prohibition. Marketed with an emphasis on craftsmanship and pristine mountain imagery, the brand was promoted through lighted signage, bar fixtures, and regional retail distribution. Despite its polished visual presentation and localized appeal, the brand remained on the market for only a brief period before industry consolidation brought an end to its distribution.

The Apex Brewing Company, Inc. was organized in Seattle, Washington, in 1934 by veteran brewer Alvin Hemrich. Operating out of a plant on Airport Way adjacent to the historic Bay View brewing facility, Apex was the final brewery in the state of Washington to be issued a federal post-Repeal permit. The brewery faced serious leadership hurdles following the untimely death of Alvin Hemrich, followed shortly by the passing of his son Elmer. In early 1938, the Hemrich family sold the facility to Emil Sick's Seattle Brewing and Malting Company. The new owners dissolved the Apex corporate entity, discontinued the Apex brand name, and transitioned the plant to produce Rheinlander Beer.

For collectors of pre-World War II breweriana and Pacific Northwest cone tops, this can represents a prized piece of Seattle's industrial heritage. Because Apex Brewing operated independently for only a few short years, surviving cans from this short-lived regional enterprise are extraordinarily scarce. The combination of striking 1930s Art Deco typography and direct ties to the renowned Hemrich brewing lineage gives the can an esteemed status among vintage can enthusiasts.