Dixie 45 Brand Beer Cone Top Can

Dixie 45 Cone Top Overview

The Dixie 45 Brand Beer cone top can represents an iconic era of Southern breweriana from the Dixie Brewing Company of New Orleans, Louisiana. Established in 1907 by Valentine Merz on Tulane Avenue, Dixie Brewing grew to become an enduring cultural institution in the Crescent City.

The origin of the "45" moniker is tied to New Orleans lore and the historic Nick's Big Train Bar, located directly across the street from the brewery. Local accounts suggest the name originated from patrons comparing the brew's punch to the kick of a .45-caliber handgun kept behind the bar counter, or from proprietor Nick Castrogiovanni remarking on the strength of the beverage. The nickname resonated so strongly that the brewery officially integrated "Dixie 45" into its core packaging, signage, and regional advertising campaigns.

Manufactured by the Continental Can Company, this high-profile container prominently features the bold Dixie 45 logo alongside traditional text proclaiming it brewed in the original way from choicest materials. Variations exist among collectors, reflecting subtle differences in mandatory text, alcohol statement placements, and design band colorings. It remains a treasured piece of mid-century Gulf Coast brewing heritage.