Blackhawk Pilsener Beer Quart

Blackhawk Pilsener Quart Cone Top

The Blackhawk Pilsener Beer Quart is a standout large-format package produced by the Blackhawk Brewing Company in Davenport, Iowa. Originating from the historic brewery site along West Third Street in the Quad Cities—which previously operated as the Zoller Brewing Company—this 32-ounce can remains an important artifact of Iowa's industrial brewing history.

Design and Lithography

Manufactured by the Continental Can Company, the container features bold lithography centered around an illustrative portrait of Sauk leader Chief Black Hawk, adorned with feathers in his headdress. The front face pairs stylized mid-century lettering reading "Blackhawk Pilsener Beer" with vibrant red accents set against crisp background enameling and metallic trim.

Collector Notes and Variations

Quart containers served a distinct market niche, functioning primarily as take-home shareable packages during an era when standard single-serving containers dominated the market. Because regional breweries filled far fewer quart packages than standard sizes, these large-format Blackhawk cans are highly sought after by breweriana enthusiasts.

Notable variations exist among surviving examples. These differences primarily involve the mandatory statutory text along the side panels—such as the presence of the Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) declaration or differing state-mandated alcohol statement wordings—as well as subtle adjustments to the background finish and the illustration of the feathers in the central portrait.