Heileman's Old Style Light Lager Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Old Style Light Lager Tab Top Can

Produced by the G. Heileman Brewing Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin, this 12-ounce tab top can represents a classic chapter in Upper Midwest breweriana. Old Style grew to become the flagship label of the brewery and an enduring cultural icon across Wisconsin, Illinois, and neighboring states.

Graphic Design and Labeling

The can design showcases the distinctive Old Style visual identity, centered around the traditional heraldic shield crest, bold typography, and classic red, white, and blue color palette. Label text prominently highlights Heileman's signature spring water source and traditional kraeusening process—a secondary fermentation method that the brewery heavily featured on its canned packaging.

Manufacturing and Variations

Heileman utilized major container manufacturers such as Continental Can Company and American Can Company to produce these cans. Collectors document variations across production runs, which differ in seam construction, metal composition, canning code placements, and subtle updates to mandatory legal text and distributor statements. Further variations reflect the company's regional expansion as Heileman acquired other brewing facilities while maintaining La Crosse as its primary operational headquarters.

Collector Significance

Among breweriana enthusiasts, this can remains an essential regional piece. The enduring legacy of the Old Style label—cemented through decades of Midwest tavern culture, sports heritage, and regional brand loyalty—makes examples bearing the "Light Lager Beer" designation a popular focus for collections centered on Wisconsin brewing history.