Old Bohemian Draft Flat Top Can

Old Bohemian Draft Beer Flavor Can

Dating from the 1960s, this twelve-ounce flat top represents a transitional era in mid-century packaged beer marketing. The face of the can features a prominent gold and black band across the top proclaiming "DRAFT BEER FLAVOR," directly paired with the claim "IT'S STERILIZED." The central "Old Bohemian" brand name rests inside a tilted, rounded plaque bordered in silver, while the lower portion of the label emphasizes quality with "FULLY AGED" and "BREWERY FRESH PASTEURIZED BEER". Along the base, script lettering highlights that the beverage was "Brewed with Pure Artesian Well Water." Along the side seam, the mandatory text attributes production to Eastern Brewing Corporation of Hammonton, New Jersey.

Old Bohemian was first introduced in the 1940s and endured for decades as Eastern Brewing’s core proprietary label. While the brewery produced different styles under the moniker, including bock and cream ale, this particular layout emerged during an industry-wide trend where brewers sought to bottle and can the taste of tavern tap beer. To compete against major regional and national players, Eastern aggressively marketed the draft appeal of the liquid inside while reassuring customers of shelf stability through bold declarations of sterilization and pasteurization. The Old Bohemian brand remained in active production until the company closed its doors.

Eastern Brewing Corporation opened in Hammonton in 1933 in the wake of Prohibition's repeal. Established on North Washington Street, it was the only commercial packaging brewery in Hammonton. As wave after wave of industry consolidation squeezed independent brewers out of business in the post-war decades, Eastern sustained operations by leaning heavily into value-priced beers, contract packaging, and private supermarket labels. By pivoting toward economy brands and contract brewing, the facility successfully operated long past many of its contemporaries before ultimately shuttering in 1990.

Today, this flat top holds significant appeal for collectors of New Jersey breweriana and regional canning history. Its enthusiastic mix of marketing terms—balancing sterile cleanliness with brewery-fresh draft taste—makes it a compelling display piece from an era when breweries went to great lengths to simulate draft flavor in canned beer.