Gretz Beer Flat Top Can

History of the Gretz Flat Top Can

The Gretz Beer flat top can represents a classic piece of Philadelphia brewing heritage. Produced by the William Gretz Brewing Company—located in Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood at Germantown Avenue and Oxford Street—this can is a notable artifact from a regional powerhouse that competed aggressively against national brands.

Following the repeal of Prohibition, Gretz established a strong presence through memorable marketing and packaging. The brewery embraced canned beer early, helping propel the brand to high sales across the regional packaged beer market. The can's graphics prominently showcase the brewery's recognizable mascot: a gentleman riding an antique high-wheel penny-farthing bicycle. This imagery reinforced the company's long-running promotional slogan, "Made the Old Fashioned Way," emphasizing traditional brewing methods.

Gretz was also recognized for broad advertising initiatives, including early local television sponsorship with variety programs like The Gretz Cavalcade of Girls and prominent citywide billboard campaigns. For breweriana collectors, the Gretz flat top is a quintessential Pennsylvania issue. Variations exist displaying subtle differences in mandatory text, side-panel arrangements, and canning markings from across different production runs prior to the brewery's acquisition by Esslinger's.