Old Mission Beer Flat Top Can

Pabst's Old Mission Flat Top

The Old Mission Beer flat top represents a fascinating chapter in West Coast brewing history and mid-century corporate expansion. Following Pabst Brewing Company's acquisition of the historic Los Angeles Brewing Company plant on North Main Street, the national brewing giant continued canning several regional labels to cater to established California audiences.

The label art reflects regional heritage, drawing visual inspiration from the historic Spanish missions across California. The graphic design features classic mission motif elements and bold typography, distinguishing it from Pabst's nationally standardized Blue Ribbon packaging. Produced at the Los Angeles facility—an industrial site later converted into the famous Brewery Arts Complex—the can captures a pivotal era when large national breweries balanced local brand loyalty with wide-scale production.

For breweriana collectors, the can remains a sought-after piece due to its focused regional distribution and connection to Pabst's West Coast expansion. Known variations exist across production batches, differing in mandatory tax statements and can manufacturer markings from suppliers such as National Can Company. Because Pabst eventually streamlined its canning lines to favor its flagship brands, regional labels like Old Mission saw relatively limited runs under the Pabst imprint, securing their place as standout items among California breweriana.