Old Milwaukee America's Light Beer 14 Oz Tab Top Can

Old Milwaukee 14 Oz Tampa Can

The Old Milwaukee America's Light Beer 14 oz tab top can holds a notable place among breweriana collectors due to its non-standard volume and regional canning pedigree. Produced by the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company at its Tampa, Florida facility, this container reflects an interesting chapter in twentieth-century regional brewing and packaging.

The 14-Ounce Format

While domestic beer packaging primarily favored standard 12-ounce and 16-ounce sizes, 14-ounce cans were an uncommon odd-size format. Major brewing companies like Jos. Schlitz distributed 14-ounce packaging primarily to select regional markets, military installations, and areas subject to specific local pricing or tax regulations. Because production of this intermediate size was significantly more limited than standard packaging runs, 14-ounce cans remain a dedicated niche for collectors focused on off-size containers.

Tampa Brewery Heritage

Schlitz operated its Tampa brewery to serve the expanding Florida and Southeastern markets. For collectors who categorize cans by brewery mandatory lines and regional manufacturing plants, the Tampa, Florida designation on an odd-size Old Milwaukee can adds regional appeal. While Old Milwaukee was widely distributed nationwide, regional plant imprints on non-standard volumes are far less common than their Milwaukee-brewed counterparts.

Design and Known Variations

The can features classic Old Milwaukee graphic styling centered on the prominent "America's Light Beer" slogan, detailed heraldic crest motifs, and a rich red, white, and metallic color scheme. Collectors have documented variations across manufacturing runs, including differences in seam construction, metallic trim shading, and subtle adjustments in the mandatory brewery typography.