Iron City Draft 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Pittsburgh's Iconic Draft Can

Manufactured by the Pittsburgh Brewing Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Iron City Draft 12 oz tab top can holds a notable place in breweriana history. Following the historic introduction of the self-opening closure in the early 1960s, Pittsburgh Brewing Company continued its packaging innovations by bringing draft-style beer directly into retail cans.

The label prominently showcases the traditional Iron City insignia paired with bold draft beer designations. Collectors recognize the distinctive graphic layouts that were used throughout its production run. Over the years, the brewery partnered with major can manufacturers—including the Continental Can Company and the American Can Company—leading to manufacturing and textual variations across different production runs. Variations exist featuring differences in brewery mandatory statements, lid stampings, and metallic finishes.

Pittsburgh Brewing Company was a trailblazer in metal container packaging, collaborating with industry leaders such as Alcoa to advance beverage container design throughout North America. The Iron City Draft can represents this transformative era in American brewing history, marking the period when regional powerhouses expanded their draft offerings into portable, off-premise cans. Today, it remains a prominent piece of Pennsylvania breweriana and an essential staple for collectors of historical packaging.