Heileman's Special Export Beer Flat Top Can

Heileman's Special Export Flat Top

The Heileman's Special Export Beer flat top can is a notable piece of Midwestern brewing history, produced by the G. Heileman Brewing Company in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Positioned as an upscale complement to the brewery's flagship Old Style brand, Special Export was marketed with an emphasis on traditional European craftsmanship.

The can's lithography showcases regal heraldic emblems, bold typography, and maritime imagery—such as a classic sailing ship—reinforcing the export theme. The color scheme often pairs deep forest greens and metallic golds against a clean background, giving the container an elevated shelf presence. Text on the can frequently highlighted the brewery's signature kraeusening brewing method alongside its heritage in La Crosse.

Collectors recognize several variations of this flat top can. These differences primarily appear in the placement and phrasing of mandatory brewery statements, copyright and trademark markings, and can manufacturer stamps. Minor shifts in border detailing, crest embellishments, and background shading also distinguish different production runs. As G. Heileman grew into a dominant regional brewery, Special Export cans achieved widespread distribution throughout the Midwest, making this flat top a staple of Wisconsin breweriana collections.