Iron City Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

1980 Steelers Team of the Decade

Issued in 1980 by the Pittsburgh Brewing Company, this 12-ounce crimped steel tab top can commemorates the Pittsburgh Steelers' reign over professional football throughout the 1970s. Bearing the printed caption "The Team of the Decade ~ 1980 Pittsburgh Steelers," the face of the can is anchored by a full-color portrait of the squad and coaching staff. Flanking the traditional oval Iron City Beer crest at the top are circular emblems displaying the team's championship triumphs, highlighting matchups and scores such as their victories against Dallas in Super Bowls X and XIII.

Iron City Beer was established in 1861 by German immigrant Edward Frauenheim and grew into Pittsburgh’s signature hometown lager. Strongly identified with Western Pennsylvania’s industrial workforce, the brand built a loyal regional following through local marketing and sports associations. Iron City also played a pivotal role in packaging history by partnering with Alcoa to introduce the first mass-market pull-tab beer cans in 1962, paving the way for decades of collectible commemorative packaging that celebrated the city's sports franchises.

The Pittsburgh Brewing Company was formally incorporated in 1899 via the consolidation of twenty-one local breweries, centering operations at its historic facility in the Lawrenceville neighborhood. The business survived Prohibition by producing soft drinks, near beer, and ice, successfully re-entering the market upon repeal to stand as one of Pennsylvania’s most resilient regional brewing companies amidst national industry consolidation.

Commemorative sports releases from this era hold a celebrated place in breweriana collections. Because this can bridges the worlds of regional brewing history and gridiron lore, it remains a sought-after piece for both beer can hobbyists and football memorabilia collectors.