Colt 45 Malt Liquor 12 Oz Zip Top Can

Colt 45 National Detroit Zip Top

The Colt 45 Malt Liquor 12 oz zip top can represents a defining era for the National Brewing Company. Introduced in 1963 to challenge market rivals like Country Club, Colt 45 quickly became a powerhouse brand in American breweriana.

Design and Branding

The can's graphic identity centers around the bold horseshoe emblem enclosing a rearing stallion, a motif chosen to symbolize the beverage's pronounced "kick". While popular lore frequently connects the brand name to running back Jerry Hill (#45) of the Baltimore Colts, the bold graphic presentation gave the label an instantly recognizable identity on store shelves across the country.

The Detroit Plant Connection

This specific container was manufactured for the National Brewing Company of Michigan, based in Detroit. National had established its Detroit presence after acquiring the former Tivoli/Altes brewing facilities on Mack Avenue, expanding its distribution capacity throughout the Midwest. Cans marked with the Detroit, Michigan mandatory text are particularly sought after by regional breweriana enthusiasts and collectors specializing in Motor City brewing history.

Graphic and Text Variations

Collectors have identified variations among these Detroit-issued cans, primarily differing in mandatory text placement, alcohol content labeling required by varying state distribution laws, and slight adjustments in the metallic finish of the label graphics. These differences reflect the multiple canning runs commissioned during the plant's operational peak under National Brewing Company ownership.