Milwaukee's Best Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Milwaukee's Best Tab Top History

Milwaukee's Best originated as a signature label of the A. Gettelman Brewing Company, a historic Milwaukee brewer established in the mid-nineteenth century. Miller Brewing Company acquired the Gettelman operations in 1961, integrating the brand into its expanding national portfolio and eventually positioning it as a core economy label.

Design and Presentation

The 12-ounce tab top can produced under the Miller name showcases classic mid-century graphic styling. The face of the can features a prominent heraldic shield motif in bold red, gold, and white, honoring its traditional Wisconsin roots. Side panels display the mandatory Miller Brewing Company brewing credits and city designations, linking the package directly to the main Milwaukee facilities.

Production Variations and Collectibility

For breweriana collectors, this can reflects a period of significant technological transition in metal packaging. Several variations exist across different manufacturing batches. These include subtle changes in mandatory statement layouts, adjustments in the list of regional brewery locations, and the shift in metal substrates between rolled steel and all-aluminum construction.

Cultural Legacy

Long before the label gained its common pop-culture moniker, "The Beast", these early Miller-manufactured cans served as a bridge between Milwaukee's traditional neighborhood brewing heritage and modern large-scale domestic distribution. Today, the can stands as an enduring artifact of twentieth-century American commercial breweriana.