Colt Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Phoenix Carling Colt Beer Can

The Colt Beer 12 oz can represents an interesting chapter in Southwestern brewing history, originating from the Carling facility in Phoenix, Arizona. The plant itself had deep local roots, originally founded as the Arizona Brewing Company on East Madison Street—the lone commercial brewery operating in the state for decades following the repeal of Prohibition. After changing hands to Carling, the downtown Phoenix operation expanded its regional output to include nationally recognized labels alongside local favorites.

Visually, the can features the classic Colt branding, distinguished by bold lettering and the iconic equine and horseshoe iconography associated with the label. The packaging was tailored for distribution across Arizona and surrounding regional markets, carrying the Phoenix brewery mandatory line on the side panel.

Among breweriana enthusiasts, cans bearing the Phoenix plant designation hold strong regional appeal, as the facility operated under several corporate banners—including Carling and later Carling-National—before permanently ceasing operations. Known variations exist across different manufacturing runs, showcasing subtle differences in seam construction, legal text formatting, and color application.