Old Milwaukee Draft 14 Oz Tab Top Can

Old Milwaukee 14 Oz Draft Can

The Old Milwaukee Draft 14-ounce tab top can from Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company represents an uncommon intermediate package size produced for regional distribution. While standard domestic beer packaging historically favored 12-ounce and 16-ounce formats, major brewers occasionally filled 14-ounce containers to offer a distinct price-to-volume option in selective retail markets.

Regional Van Nuys Production

This container carries the mandatory brewery mandatory text identifying the Jos. Schlitz facility in Van Nuys, California. The Van Nuys plant, which served as a major production hub for West Coast distribution, packaged both flagship Schlitz labels and Old Milwaukee brand variants. Because 14-ounce cans were distributed in limited geographic markets rather than on a nationwide scale, examples bearing the Van Nuys plant designation hold particular appeal for collectors focusing on regional facility distribution and West Coast breweriana.

Labeling and Variations

The can displays Old Milwaukee's signature heraldic shield and bold script branding, highlighted by the prominent "Draft" or "Genuine Draft" identifier. Over the course of the brand's run under Jos. Schlitz, subtle modifications occurred in the metallic trim, lid construction, and layout text. Known variations exist regarding seam design, metallic border highlights, and bottom-lid stampings across different production batches.

Collector Significance

Non-standard volumes such as 14-ounce cans represent an interesting facet of twentieth-century packaging experiments among American macrobreweries. For breweriana specialists, this can serves as a classic artifact of Jos. Schlitz's multi-plant operations and competitive regional sizing strategies.