Iron City Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

The Pioneer of the Snap Top Can

The Iron City Beer 12 oz tab top can, produced by the Pittsburgh Brewing Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, marks a watershed moment in beverage packaging history. In the early 1960s, Pittsburgh Brewing collaborated with the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) to commercialize the self-opening mechanism developed by inventor Ermal Fraze. This innovation debuted commercially on Iron City Beer cans, revolutionizing packaging and sparking an industry-wide transition.

The tab top was initially test-marketed in Staunton, Virginia, where consumer reception was overwhelmingly positive. Sales surged dramatically, prompting Pittsburgh Brewing Company to rapidly convert its canned beer production. The packaging proved so successful that competitor breweries across the nation swiftly adopted similar opening mechanisms.

Recognizing the competitive advantage of being first to market, Pittsburgh Brewing aggressively promoted and protected its status. Early production runs heralded the innovation with banners stating "New Easy Open Snap Top". Once competing breweries released their own versions, the brewery updated the phrasing to proclaim "No. 1 With The Snap Top". Pittsburgh Brewing took its branding so seriously that it even initiated a trademark lawsuit in May 1963 against crosstown rival Duquesne Brewing over the use of the term "Snap Top".

For breweriana enthusiasts, this can represents a landmark milestone in modern canning history. Variations exist across production runs, featuring differences in side panel text, promotional slogans, and lid stampings.