Colt 45 Malt Liquor Pint Can

Colt 45 Malt Liquor Pint History

Introduced in 1963 by The National Brewing Company in Baltimore, Maryland, Colt 45 quickly became one of the most prominent names in the malt liquor market. The can's visual presentation features the iconic kicking horse leaping through a horseshoe emblem, an image chosen to symbolize the brew's extra "kick" and strength compared to standard lagers.

According to brewery history and lore, the brand took its name in honor of running back Jerry Hill, who wore jersey number 45 for the NFL's Baltimore Colts. The 16-ounce pint can provided a larger format option alongside standard sizes and proudly highlighted its Baltimore origin.

Over the course of its production at National Brewing, text and layout variations appeared across pint can releases, reflecting regulatory updates, changes to brewery location listings, and subtle adjustments to the horseshoe typography. Colt 45's graphic identity remains a defining piece of Mid-Atlantic breweriana from the era.