Badger Beer Flat Top Can

Manhattan's Badger Beer Flat Top

The Badger Beer flat top container produced by the Manhattan Brewing Company of Chicago, Illinois, holds a prominent place in breweriana history. Although prominently displaying the Wisconsin state mascot, this can was filled in Chicago under contract arrangements involving the Whitewater Brewing Company of Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Design and Iconography

The face panel features an illustrative badger grasping a heraldic shield emblazoned with Manhattan Brewing Company's signature slogan, "Best by Test". Manufactured using American Can Company's "Keglined" process, the side panels incorporate patent notices alongside graphic step-by-step opening instructions.

Historical Context

Manhattan Brewing Company operated one of Chicago's most storied facilities. Having ties to notorious Prohibition-era figures before returning to legitimate brewing and later transitioning to the Canadian Ace Brewing Company, Manhattan expanded aggressively in the canning market through contract packaging and regional brand alliances. The Badger Beer can reflects this era of Midwestern contract brewing agreements.

Known Variations

For collectors, recognized variations of this can revolve around changes in the legal verbiage and side panel layout. Some versions state that the can was packed expressly for the Whitewater Brewing Company, whereas other variations explicitly credit Manhattan Brewing Company on the side panel under a special contract agreement. Additional differences can be found in the placement of trademark text and the arrangement of the instructional panels.