Hapsburg Quality (best's) Beer Flat Top Can

Best's Hapsburg Flat Top Can

The Hapsburg Quality Beer flat top can is a notable piece of mid-century Chicago breweriana produced for the Best Brewing Company of Chicago, Illinois. Originating from the historic facility situated on Fletcher Street in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, the can represents one of the signature labels distributed by the brewery following the repeal of Prohibition.

Background and Heritage

Originally established by the Hasterlik family, Best Brewing Company operated as one of Chicago's prominent regional brewing establishments. The Hapsburg name drew inspiration from European heritage, functioning as a premier label alongside the company's other proprietary brands and private labels. Best Brewing was an early adopter of canning technology in the local market, distributing its canned lineup throughout Chicago-area retailers and taverns.

Design and Collector Details

The can features graphic lithography produced by the American Can Company, utilizing a metallic backdrop paired with bold typography and heraldic crest elements. The presentation prominently incorporates the "Best's" identifier above the central Hapsburg banner to highlight the brewing company's namesake.

Among breweriana collectors, several variations are known to exist across different manufacturing runs. These variations include subtle shifts in text placement, the presence or absence of specific anniversary and promotional text, and slight modifications in corporate legal nomenclature indicating transitions in the company's formal corporate filing (such as Best Brewing Company versus Best Brewing Corporation).

Given Chicago's prominent status in American industrial brewing history, cans bearing the Fletcher Street address remain popular focus pieces for collectors dedicated to Midwest brewing artifacts.