National Bohemian Light Beer 12 Oz Zip Top Can

Iconic Baltimore Mr. Boh Zip Top

The National Bohemian Light Beer 12 oz zip top can is an iconic piece of Mid-Atlantic brewing history, issued by The National Brewing Company of Baltimore, Maryland. Affectionately known throughout the Chesapeake Bay region as "Natty Boh," the brand became a cultural cornerstone of Baltimore under the leadership of brewery president Jerold Hoffberger. During this era, the brewery tied its identity closely to the city, famously serving the brew at Memorial Stadium and adopting the enduring regional slogan, "From the Land of Pleasant Living."

The can features the recognizable red, white, and gold color scheme centered around the brand's mascot, Mr. Boh. First introduced in the 1930s, the beloved mustachioed character with a single eye, a winking profile, and a handlebar mustache remains one of the most recognized mascots in American advertising. On this label, Mr. Boh is prominently displayed alongside bold typography designating the brew as "Light Beer".

For collectors of Mid-Atlantic breweriana, this can represents a key design from National Brewing Company's peak distribution era before the brand underwent ownership changes and facility consolidations. Known variations exist among surviving examples, reflecting differences in mandatory state tax stamps—such as specialized lids for distribution in Virginia—as well as slight differences in mandatory alcohol labeling text and manufacturer marks from can producers like Crown Cork & Seal.