Forty Niner Premium Beer Flat Top Can

Atlas Forty Niner Beer History

The Forty Niner Premium Beer flat top can was produced by the Atlas Brewing Company of Chicago, Illinois. Operating out of its historic facility on Blue Island Avenue, Atlas was a prominent fixture of Chicago's brewing landscape from the late nineteenth century through the post-Prohibition era until the company ceased operations in 1962. Forty Niner Premium Beer, also marketed under the "49er" name, served as one of the brewery's late-era offerings during its final years of production.

Manufactured in collaboration with the Continental Can Company, this 12-ounce container features bold branding centered on the Forty Niner theme, complete with mid-century typography and mandatory brewery identification attributing production to Atlas in Chicago.

Among breweriana collectors, the Forty Niner can from Atlas is regarded as a notable find due to its limited production timeline compared to the brewery's flagship labels like Atlas Prager. Known variations exist in lid stampings—including mandatory alcohol content notices tailored to specific state distribution laws—as well as slight factory marking differences. The can stands as a prized artifact documenting the concluding chapter of one of Chicago’s classic pre- and post-Prohibition brewing institutions.