Big Cat Malt Liquor Flat Top Can

Pabst Big Cat Malt Liquor Flat Top

This 12-ounce flat top can represents Pabst Brewing Company's foray into the specialty malt liquor category during the 1960s. Originating from Pabst's flagship operation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the can features a distinctive vertical pinstripe pattern on a light ground, framed by metallic gold bands at the top and bottom rims. The front face is dominated by bold red "BIG Cat" lettering flanking a detailed, snarling leopard depicted mid-leap, with "MALT LIQUOR" set in crisp black type below. Notable lithographed markings include the vertical "UNION MADE" imprint alongside the rim and the "12 FLUID OUNCES" volume designation.

During the late 1950s and 1960s, American brewers introduced high-gravity malt liquors to diversify beyond standard lagers. Pabst launched Big Cat to compete against formidable category rivals such as the Schlitz malt liquor bull and Colt 45. The brand was marketed with an emphasis on bold potency and smooth drinkability, supported by dynamic print promotions, point-of-sale displays, and radio campaigns built around predator imagery. Big Cat remained a staple of the Pabst portfolio through the 1970s before being phased out as consumer preferences and corporate marketing priorities shifted.

Pabst Brewing Company originated in Milwaukee in 1844 when Jacob Best founded the Empire Brewery. The company rose to national prominence under the stewardship of Captain Frederick Pabst, famously incorporating blue silk ribbons into its packaging after claiming top honors at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Pabst navigated the dry years of Prohibition by producing malt syrup, soda, and processed cheese, emerging in the post-repeal era as one of America's industrial brewing powerhouses with packaging operations across several states.

Big Cat cans remain popular among breweriana collectors who specialize in animal-themed label graphics and vintage malt liquors. Early flat top examples from the Milwaukee facility are especially prized for their classic all-steel construction and vivid mid-century graphic design.