Old Milwaukee Genuine Draft 14 Oz Tab Top Can

Old Milwaukee 14 Oz Longview Can

The Old Milwaukee Genuine Draft 14-ounce tab top can produced by the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company at their Longview, Texas facility represents an interesting chapter in regional container sizing.

Regional Distribution and Sizing

Schlitz operated the Longview plant to service growing distribution networks across Texas and neighboring southern markets. While 12-ounce containers served as the primary industry standard, breweries periodically experimented with alternative volumes. The 14-ounce capacity was marketed in select regional distribution channels, placing it into the distinct category of odd-sized steel containers that garner attention from specialized breweriana historians.

Labeling and Plant Mandatories

The face of the can features the classic Old Milwaukee Genuine Draft branding, highlighted by metallic background tones and traditional brand typography. A key identifying aspect for collectors is the brewery mandatory printed along the seam line, which designates Jos. Schlitz in Longview, Texas. Throughout its manufacturing history, variations in mandatory wording placement, metallic silver lacquer shades, and bottom lid stampings occurred across different manufacturing runs, creating multiple subtle differences for collectors who track plant-specific releases.

Historical Significance

Because 14-ounce tab tops were produced in considerably smaller quantities than standard-sized cans and restricted to specific regional footprints, examples tied directly to the Longview packaging facility are particularly prized by enthusiasts focusing on Texas brewing history and odd-size container collections.