Krueger's Finest Beer Flat Top Can

Krueger's Finest Beer Pre-Tax Can

Introduced on January 24, 1935, by the G. Krueger Brewing Company of Newark, New Jersey, this flat top represents a defining milestone in commercial brewing history. Packaged in partnership with the American Can Company utilizing their proprietary Keglined interior coating, Krueger's rollout marked the nation's first widespread commercial release of canned beer, debuting in a test market in Richmond, Virginia.

This specific edition is categorized by collectors as a pre-tax version. Because it was distributed before federal regulations enacted in June 1935 mandated an Internal Revenue Tax Paid statement on malt beverage packaging, it entirely lacks the standard tax wording seen on later releases.

The can features printed opening instructions along the seam to assist early consumers with the church key puncturing process. As cataloged in Kevin Lilek's foundational study of instructional beer cans under entry 471, it stands as an early artifact from the dawn of canned beer. Krueger's immediate market triumph revolutionized the industry and quickly spurred rival breweries to adopt the format.