Gretz Beer Flat Top Can

Mid-Century Philadelphia Classic

Produced by the Wm. Gretz Brewing Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this flat top can is an enduring artifact of the Delaware Valley's mid-century brewing landscape. Operating from its longtime facility along Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood, the Gretz brewery distinguished itself through aggressive promotion and early, enthusiastic investment in canned packaging. This strategy allowed the regional producer to compete head-to-head against national brewing conglomerates, capturing a substantial share of the local packaged market during its peak years.

The can's graphics are anchored by one of the region's most recognizable advertising motifs: a retro figure balancing a tray while riding a high-wheel penny-farthing bicycle. Designed originally by the Philadelphia advertising agency Geare-Marston, the cyclist symbolized the brewery's commitment to traditional brewing processes. The image worked in tandem with the prominent brand slogan displayed along the lower portion of the can, "Made The Old Fashioned Way." This theme was heavily reinforced throughout Philadelphia via animated billboards and local broadcast sponsorships.

Another distinctive visual touch on the can is the bold red "Gretz" lettering, which is decorated with yellow marquee-style dots set inside an angular diamond crest. Variations of this flat top exist across production runs, showing subtle differences in mandatory text formatting, side-panel copy, and canning manufacturer marks.