Krueger's Finest Beer Flat Top Can

Dawn of the Commercial Beer Can

The Krueger's Finest Beer flat top can holds a monumental place in breweriana history as part of the very first commercial release of canned beer. Produced by the G. Krueger Brewing Company of Newark, New Jersey, in partnership with the American Can Company, the can made its public debut during an initial market test in Richmond, Virginia, on January 24, 1935.

Prior to this milestone, packaging beer in metal had challenged container manufacturers for decades due to pressure buildup and chemical interactions between the liquid and bare steel. The breakthrough came with the American Can Company’s proprietary "Keglined" process, an internal coating that safely preserved the beer. Following a small-scale trial with loyal customers, Krueger agreed to the public test in Richmond, where consumer response was overwhelmingly positive, paving the way for the canned beverage industry.

The label art features the classic "K-Man" motif depicting a waiter carrying a tray with a glass of beer. Because early consumers were unfamiliar with canned beer packaging, the can included instructional text printed on the side panels explaining proper operation. Over its manufacturing lifespan, the design underwent several minor revisions, leading to multiple known variations among collectors that differ in Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) statements, text alignment, and instructional panel layouts.