Old Milwaukee Genuine Draft 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Old Milwaukee Genuine Draft Can

Background & Brewery History

The Old Milwaukee Genuine Draft 12 Oz Tab Top Can represents a major packaging era for the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Schlitz, historically recognized as one of the brewing powerhouses in the United States, positioned Old Milwaukee as a high-volume national label. The "Genuine Draft" branding highlighted packaged draft marketing trends that swept across American macrobreweries during the mid-to-late twentieth century.

Graphics & Design Elements

The can features Old Milwaukee's traditional color palette, dominated by a bold red banner set against a clean metallic silver and cream backdrop. The brand's signature Gothic blackletter typography is emblazoned across the front face, complemented by "Genuine Draft" script. The mandatory information block identifies the packaging origin with Jos. Schlitz Brewing Co. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Known Variations & Collector Notes

Among breweriana enthusiasts, this release is known for several manufacturing variations that emerged across different production cycles:

• Mandatory Location Text: While primary examples cite the flagship Milwaukee headquarters, other production runs feature variations reflecting Schlitz's broader network of regional production facilities.
• Metallic Lacquer Tones: Differences in ink density and metal coatings resulted in subtle variations between bright, reflective silver finishes and muted satin backgrounds.
• Lid & Rim Stampings: Variations exist in top lid scoring, end stamps, and factory can-maker markings along the seam line.

Breweriana Significance

As an artifact from the height of Jos. Schlitz's operations prior to corporate acquisitions by the Stroh Brewery Company and later Pabst, this 12-ounce tab top remains a core representative of classic Midwestern brewing history and mid-century industrial can graphic design.