Iron City Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Iron City: The First Tab Top Can

Iron City Beer, produced by Pittsburgh Brewing Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, holds a landmark position in breweriana history as the pioneer of the self-opening tab top can.

In September 1962, Pittsburgh Brewing Company partnered with the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) to commercialize the tab-opening mechanism developed by inventor Ermal Fraze. Iron City Beer served as the inaugural test-market product in Staunton, Virginia, branded with the phrase "New Easy Open Snap Top". The packaging innovation was an instant phenomenon, leading to a dramatic surge in brewery sales and quickly establishing the tab top as the standard for beverage containers across the industry.

Following the successful rollout, Pittsburgh Brewing Company celebrated its packaging milestone directly on its graphics, proudly displaying slogans such as "No. 1 with the Snap Top". Collectors document several variations across production runs, featuring differences in rim text, instructional wording stamped onto the lids, tab rivet configurations, and minor revisions on the face and side panels.

Deeply tied to Pittsburgh's industrial heritage, the Iron City 12-ounce tab top can stands as an essential artifact commemorating a monumental breakthrough in modern beverage packaging.