Colt 45 Malt Liquor 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Colt 45 Carling National Can

Introduced in 1963 by the National Brewing Company of Baltimore, Maryland, Colt 45 became one of the most recognizable malt liquor brands in American brewing history. The branding prominently featured a kicking stallion alongside a horseshoe emblem. Popular lore associated the moniker with Baltimore Colts running back Jerry Hill, who wore jersey number 45, linking the beverage directly to Baltimore's local sports culture.

This specific can represents the era following the merger between the National Brewing Company and Carling Brewing Company, which established Carling-National Breweries, Inc. Cans bearing the Carling National Baltimore mandatory line capture a key transition period in regional industrial history before the operation was acquired by the G. Heileman Brewing Company.

For breweriana collectors, the can features bold typography and the dynamic horse motif set against a metallic backdrop. Label variations exist across production runs, reflecting changing regulatory texts and the various regional facilities operated by the company. Colt 45 remains a staple for collectors specializing in Maryland brewing history and classic American malt liquor labels.