Budweiser Lager Beer Flat Top Can

Budweiser Export Flat Top Can

This vintage flat top steel can represents an export-designated release of Budweiser Lager Beer brewed by Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis, Missouri. Standing out on the upper face of the container is the mandatory export tax statement, "WITHDRAWN FREE OF INTERNAL REVENUE TAX FOR EXPORTATION," indicating it was prepared without domestic excise taxes for overseas civilian trade, maritime transport, or military distribution. Accommodating international destinations, the upper left panel features dual volume indicators in both customary and metric units, reading "12 FLUID OUNCES / 35 CENTILITERS." The centerpiece of the label artwork is the prominent Anheuser-Busch "A and Eagle" trademark emblem framed by stars, set above bold typography and classic red script lettering.

Budweiser was introduced in 1876 by Adolphus Busch and his friend Carl Conrad, a St. Louis liquor merchant. Inspired by the pale lagers brewed in Bohemia, Busch formulated a crisp, clean lager utilizing rice alongside barley malt to appeal broadly across the United States. Branded as the "King of Beers," Budweiser was supported by pioneering marketing campaigns, sponsorships, and refrigerated railcars that established it as America's first truly national beer brand, eventually rising to become one of the most recognized beers in the world.

Anheuser-Busch traces its origins to the 1850s when Eberhard Anheuser acquired a struggling St. Louis brewery, later partnering with his son-in-law Adolphus Busch. The company navigated Prohibition by diversifying into commercial yeast, refrigerated vehicle bodies, and non-alcoholic beverages before roaring back to prominence after Repeal. During the mid-20th century, Anheuser-Busch expanded with state-of-the-art regional breweries across the country, solidifying its place at the top of the brewing industry.

Within breweriana collecting, "Withdrawn Free" flat tops form an engaging historical category. These cans bridge commercial packaging and international distribution history, offering collectors tangible artifacts of mid-century global trade and military-era beverage logistics.