Bartels Pure Extra Light Beer Flat Top Can

Bartels Pure Extra Light Flat Top

Dating from the late 1950s, this twelve-ounce flat top represents the post-Prohibition packaging era of the Bartels Brewing Company in Edwardsville, Pennsylvania. The design is centered around a prominent royal blue diamond framed against fine horizontal striping across the body, featuring the "Pure" descriptor arched inside a red banner directly above the bold white serif "Bartels" wordmark. In collector documentation, this specific issue is designated by its metallic finish, setting it apart from standard painted variations of the label.

The "Pure Beer" designation was a long-running hallmark of Bartels, having originated decades earlier to emphasize quality ingredients, clean brewing practices, and brewing water drawn from local sources. In the post-World War II period, consumer demand shifted dramatically toward lighter, crisper lagers. In response, Bartels added the "Extra Light" qualification to court modern palate preferences while maintaining its regional identity. Marketing throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania relied heavily on local heritage and regular promotional campaigns—frequently featuring the brand's distinguished "Professor" caricature—to connect with local consumers.

Bartels Brewing Company was founded in the late nineteenth century along Plymouth Street and Toby's Creek in the anthracite mining hub of Edwardsville, located in Luzerne County across the river from Wilkes-Barre. The company quickly established itself as a major regional player, serving the thirsty working-class mining communities of the Wyoming Valley. Prohibition brought a halt to brewing operations in 1920, but the facility successfully reopened following Repeal in 1933. Like many independent regional brewers, Bartels encountered severe competitive pressure from national mega-breweries during the postwar decades and ceased operations in 1968. Following the shutdown, the rights to the Bartels brand were purchased by neighboring rival The Lion Brewery in Wilkes-Barre, which maintained local production of the label.

Mid-century cans from Pennsylvania's coal region hold a prominent place in vintage breweriana collections. This metallic flat top serves as a classic snapshot of regional packaging evolution, making it a valued artifact for enthusiasts focused on Keystone State brewing heritage.