Fox Head 400 Beer Flat Top Can

Fox Head 400 Beer Flat Top Can

Dating to the late 1940s, this 12-ounce flat top can bears a crisp "© 1949" copyright marking directly beneath the slogan "Brewed with Waukesha Water." The bottom rim print reflects the company's postwar distribution reach, citing both the Fox Head Brewing Company of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and an office address at 342 Madison Avenue in New York City.

The Brand

Introduced in September 1936, Fox Head "400" was formulated as the company's flagship premium lager. The "400" moniker evoked exclusive high society, while marketing campaigns capitalized on the renowned purity of Waukesha’s natural spring water. Backed by extensive regional promotion featuring the fox mascot, Fox Head "400" became one of the most recognized Wisconsin-brewed labels of the mid-20th century. The brand remained in production through multiple corporate transitions before fading out in the 1960s.

The Brewery

The brewery originated in 1893 as the Waukesha Imperial Spring Brewing Company, later reorganizing as the Milwaukee-Waukesha Brewing Company. Located in a city world-renowned for its mineral springs, the enterprise survived Prohibition by operating as the Fox Head Spring Beverage Company, bottling mineral water, sodas, and near-beers. Following Repeal, the firm became the Fox Head Brewing Company and grew steadily, routinely surpassing 100,000 barrels per year to rank among the top independent breweries in Wisconsin. In 1958, Fox Head merged with local competitor Weber Waukesha. In 1962, the business was acquired by the G. Heileman Brewing Company, which subsequently closed the Waukesha plant.

Collecting Context

Mid-century flat tops from Wisconsin's major regional brewers remain a cornerstone of American breweriana. This specific 1949-copyrighted can represents Fox Head during its postwar peak when it commanded significant market share across the Upper Midwest and East Coast. It is sought after by regional specialists and label collectors who appreciate its direct connection to Waukesha's storied brewing and mineral spring heritage.