Colt 45 Malt Liquor 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Phoenix-Brewed Colt 45 Can

Introduced in 1963 by The National Brewing Company, Colt 45 quickly became one of the defining labels in the American malt liquor market. Originally headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, National expanded its regional footprint into the Southwest during the mid-1960s by acquiring the historic Arizona Brewing Company facility in Phoenix, Arizona. This acquisition enabled the brewery to can and distribute Colt 45 directly to western markets with Phoenix listed as the city of origin on the mandatory text.

The can design prominently displays the classic Colt 45 branding, including the iconic rearing stallion and horseshoe insignia. The motif was originally developed to visually represent the brand's trademark slogan and reputation for having an "extra kick". Longstanding brand lore connects the name to Baltimore Colts running back Jerry Hill, who wore jersey number 45, as well as the famous firearm caliber.

For collectors of regional breweriana, the Phoenix-canned edition is a notable artifact from the era before National merged to form Carling-National. Different runs of this Phoenix container feature variations in mandatory text phrasing, rim configurations, and metallic finishes, reflecting the regional canning practices of the facility.