Olympia Little Oly Beer 7 Oz Tab Top Can

The Little Oly 7 Oz Tab Top

The Olympia Little Oly 7 Oz Tab Top Can represents a memorable chapter in the packaging history of the Olympia Brewing Company of Olympia, Washington. Created as a compact alternative to standard cans, the 7-ounce size was marketed under the friendly nickname "Little Oly" and distributed in multi-can packs targeted at campers, boaters, and outdoor enthusiasts who favored smaller servings.

Design and Branding

The can features Olympia's signature branding, prominently displaying the horseshoe motif alongside the company's famous slogan, "It's the Water". Adorned with the brewery's classic color palette of gold, white, and blue accents, the artwork retains the recognizable graphic identity of Olympia's flagship containers scaled down to fit the diminutive cylinder.

Known Variations

Collectors track variations of the Little Oly tab top can that reflect evolving manufacturing techniques and corporate milestones:

• Material Composition: The can was manufactured in both straight steel and all-aluminum formats.
• Mandatory Text: Earlier releases list only the Olympia and Tumwater, Washington facility, whereas subsequent issues include St. Paul, Minnesota on the mandatory line following Olympia's acquisition of the Theodore Hamm Brewing Company.
• Graphic Detailing: Subtle variations can be found across print runs in the weight of the lettering, outline styling, and background lacquer tones.

Cultural Lore

The Little Oly earned a distinctive place in Pacific Northwest lore. Beyond its presence on hiking trails and fishing trips, the can's compact size famously inspired a pair of Oregon State University engineering students to build a functioning homemade field cannon specifically bored to chamber and fire 7-ounce Little Oly cans. Today, it remains a beloved staple among Pacific Northwest breweriana collectors and enthusiasts of small-format cans.