Olde English Brand 600 Stout Malt Liquor Flat Top Can

History of Olde English 600

The Olde English Brand 600 Stout Malt Liquor flat top can from Bohemian Breweries in Spokane, Washington, represents a foundational chapter in American malt liquor history. Before the brand evolved into the nationally recognized Olde English 800, its lineage traced back to earlier recipes originating with the Peoples Brewing Company of Duluth, Minnesota, before being produced in the Pacific Northwest by Bohemian Breweries.

The prominent use of the word "Stout" on the label served as a designation of brewing strength rather than a reference to a dark ale style, aligning with mid-century malt liquor marketing practices. During this era, Bohemian Breweries operated under the ownership of Chicago's Atlantic Brewing Company, which oversaw production in Spokane before the regional facility ultimately closed and the brand rights transitioned to Blitz-Weinhard in Portland, Oregon.

For breweriana collectors, the Olde English 600 flat top is historically significant as the direct precursor to one of the most famous brand families in modern beverage culture. Among surviving examples, collectors document variations that display differences in mandatory text, alcohol percentage statements, and brewery division credits on the side panels.