James Bond's 007 Malt Liquor 12 Oz Tab Top Can

The Unauthorized 007 Malt Liquor

Produced during the height of the 1960s espionage pop-culture craze, this straight steel can was released by the National Brewing Company from its Phoenix, Arizona plant. Marketed as "A subtle blend of PREMIUM BEER and MALT LIQUOR," the beverage capitalized directly on the global phenomenon surrounding Ian Fleming's iconic British secret agent.

The London Landmark Design

To evoke the jet-setting, glamorous world of espionage cinema, the label showcases a dramatic photographic composition featuring a stylish model posed against London's iconic Tower Bridge. The bold "James Bond's 007" lettering and "SPECIAL BLEND" banner dominate the top portion of the label. The brewery produced several label variations across the brand's brief run, pairing different photographic backdrops of famous British landmarks and models alongside subtle text revisions.

Swift Cease-and-Desist and Recall

Despite the overt branding, National Brewing launched the product line without obtaining authorization or licensing rights from Ian Fleming's estate. Once the estate's representatives caught wind of the unauthorized commercial use of the 007 name and trademark, swift legal pressure forced the brewery to immediately halt distribution and withdraw the cans from the market.

Due to this abrupt market withdrawal, surviving cans rarely reached widespread circulation, transforming them into legendary crossover items for both breweriana collectors and James Bond memorabilia enthusiasts. Today, this Phoenix-brewed Tower Bridge issue stands as one of the most famous unauthorized pop-culture tie-ins in American brewing history.