Colt 45 Malt Lager 12 Oz Tab Top Can

National's Colt 45 Malt Lager Can

Produced by the National Brewing Company in Baltimore, Maryland, this Colt 45 can represents a notable chapter in twentieth-century brewing and beverage marketing. While Colt 45 became widely recognized across the nation under the "Malt Liquor" designation, cans bearing the "Malt Lager" wording were distributed to comply with specific state labeling laws and alcoholic beverage regulations that restricted or defined how malt-based beverages could be categorized.

The can features the iconic Colt 45 design, highlighted by the rearing stallion and horseshoe emblem that came to define the brand. The imagery was originally selected to emphasize the beverage's bold punch compared to standard American lagers. According to brand lore, the name itself was inspired by Baltimore Colts running back Jerry Hill, who wore jersey number 45 during the era when National Brewing created the label in the 1960s.

For can collectors, the Colt 45 series from National Brewing Company holds significant historical appeal. Over the course of the brand's production run in Baltimore, multiple variations of this container were manufactured. These variations include subtle shifts in mandatory brewery text, differences in city listings as National expanded production to other facilities, and state-mandated alcohol content statements. Cans labeled specifically as "Malt Lager" rather than the standard "Malt Liquor" remain particularly sought after by specialists focusing on regional labeling oddities and mid-century malt beverages.