Colt 45 Stout Malt Liquor 16 Oz Tab Top Can

Colt 45 Stout 16 Oz Tacoma Can

Colt 45 Stout Malt Liquor was introduced as a bold brand extension to National Brewing Company's flagship Colt 45 malt liquor. This 16-ounce "tall boy" can represents production from Carling National Breweries, Inc., bearing the mandatory listing for its Pacific Northwest brewing operation in Tacoma, Washington.

Historical Context

The appearance of Carling National on this label marks a significant period in American brewing history following the merger of the Carling Brewing Company and National Brewing Company in the mid-1970s. The Tacoma facility originally operated as the historic Heidelberg/Columbia brewery before being incorporated into Carling's national production footprint and subsequently into Carling National.

Graphic Design and Labeling

The can features the iconic Colt 45 heraldry, centered on the kicking horse and horseshoe insignia. To distinguish it from the standard pale malt liquor, the label incorporates bold "Stout Malt Liquor" branding prominently on the face. As a one-pint release, it was marketed for consumers looking for larger single-serve volume compared to standard packaging.

Collector Notes and Variations

Among breweriana collectors, Carling National cans from Tacoma hold regional interest, especially as large-format 16-ounce issues. Variations exist across the production run, featuring differences in mandatory city listings along the seam, canning company manufacturer marks, and slight shifts in typography.