Heileman's Special Export Malt Liquor Flat Top Can

Heileman's Special Export Malt Liquor

Dating from the late 1950s, this twelve-ounce steel flat top represents a notable mid-century extension of G. Heileman Brewing Company's premium portfolio. The container features a metallic gold central cartouche framed by brewery identification curving along the upper perimeter. Dominating the graphic is a detailed three-masted full-rigged sailing vessel with a red hull, set directly above the bold red stencil lettering of the brand name. Underneath the brewery's "Quality Since 1853" slogan, the lower white field prominently designates the contents as "MALT LIQUOR," distinguishing this formulation from the standard lager packaging of the era.

The Special Export brand originated in 1934 shortly after the repeal of Prohibition, created by brewmaster Jake Gehring. Conceived as a richer, stronger alternative to standard American lagers, Special Export was crafted with higher alcohol content and an emphasis on premium ingredients. In the 1950s, Heileman incorporated transatlantic maritime themes into the brand's identity, adopting the classic tall ship emblem. Capitalizing on the growing popularity of malt liquors during the post-war period, the brewery introduced this specialized malt liquor variant to deliver the brand's trademark body in a distinct package.

Founded in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1858 by Gottlieb Heileman and John Gund, the brewery developed into one of the Midwest's most enduring brewing institutions. Following Gottlieb's death in 1878, his widow Johanna assumed management, becoming one of the earliest female brewery chief executives in the United States and guiding the business through pivotal expansions. After weathering Prohibition with near-beer and malt extracts, Heileman grew aggressively across the mid-to-late twentieth century by acquiring dozens of heritage regional breweries, ultimately building one of the largest brewing networks in the nation prior to its eventual sale.

Within breweriana collecting, mid-century flat top malt liquors occupy a popular niche. The combination of Heileman's nautical clipper ship artwork, crisp stencil typography, and Wisconsin brewing heritage makes this can an attractive addition to collections focusing on upper-Midwest brewing history and post-war graphic design.