Old Style Lager Beer Flat Top Can

Old Style Lager Flat Top Can

Produced by the G. Heileman Brewing Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin, the Old Style Lager Beer flat top represents a defining era in Midwestern breweriana history. Originally introduced at the turn of the twentieth century, Old Style served as the flagship brand that propelled Heileman from a regional brewery into one of the largest brewing operations in the United States.

Design and Packaging Characteristics

The can features the recognizable red, white, and blue shield motif paired with traditional German-inspired heraldry and Gothic typography. The label prominently advertises Heileman's signature "Naturally Kraeusened" process, highlighting the brand's traditional double-fermentation method. Packaging was supplied by major mid-century can manufacturers, including the American Can Company and Continental Can Company, utilizing soldered seams and metallic lithograph finishes.

Label Variations

Collectors actively catalog several distinct variations of this can. Differences across production runs include changes in mandatory alcohol statement wording (such as internal tax notices or "Not Over 4% by Weight" text), varying manufacturer plant markings, and subtle modifications to the shield's proportions and crest detailing. Some versions also present slight rearrangements of the La Crosse brewery address and copyright text.

Cultural Legacy

Old Style evolved into an emblem of Upper Midwest tavern culture and gained widespread visibility through its long-standing presence at Chicago sports venues, most notably Wrigley Field. In 1969, the La Crosse facility paid homage to the brand's iconic packaging by painting six towering brewery storage tanks to replicate giant Old Style cans, creating the famous roadside landmark known as the "World's Largest Six-Pack".