Blatz Milwaukee Select Lager Beer Cone Top Can

Blatz Milwaukee Select Lager Can

Produced for the Blatz Brewing Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Blatz Milwaukee Select Lager can is an iconic piece of packaging history manufactured by the Continental Can Company. Blatz was one of Wisconsin's major brewing powerhouses, and this container represents an important chapter in the brewery's adoption of metal packaging for its flagship beverages.

Structural and Manufacturing Details

The container was manufactured under Continental Can Company's patents and reflects the rapid technological evolution of early canning. Collectors encounter structural differences across manufacturing runs, including early flat-bottom inverted-rib constructions, later concave bottoms with raised ribs, and transitions between high-profile and low-profile spouts.

Label Design and Variations

The graphic layout centers on the classic Blatz brand identity, prominently showcasing the "Select Lager" text across the front face alongside the Milwaukee city designation. Over the course of its production run, numerous variations emerged to satisfy evolving regulatory mandates and distributor requirements:

• Text and Color Shifts: Changes in typography coloration exist across runs, including shifts in the prominence of the "Select Lager" lettering and the color accents used on the brand name.
• Mandatory and Tax Statements: Several versions incorporate distinct regulatory text, such as "Internal Revenue Tax Paid" (IRTP) designations.
• Alcohol Content Disclaimers: Depending on the target distribution market and local regulations, containers were produced with varying alcohol content disclaimers, including statements specifying alcohol limits by weight or volume, while other versions omit alcohol statements entirely.

Legacy Among Collectors

As Blatz eventually shifted its primary marketing and packaging focus toward brands such as Old Heidelberg, the Select Lager can remained a distinguished favorite among breweriana enthusiasts. Its diverse assembly of text variations, manufacturing iterations, and bold graphics ensure its enduring appeal on collector shelves.