Olympia Pale Export Type Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Olympia Pale Export Tab Top Can

The Olympia Pale Export Type Beer 12 oz tab top can is a prominent piece of Pacific Northwest breweriana produced by the Olympia Brewing Company of Olympia, Washington. Originally founded in Tumwater by Leopold Schmidt, the brewery grew into one of the largest brewing enterprises on the West Coast and built its identity around its famous artesian brewing water.

Graphic Design and Branding

The can's display panels showcase Olympia's classic trade dress, defined by rich gold lacquer accented with white panels and bold red lettering. Centered on the label is the brewery's signature golden horseshoe crest framing the celebrated slogan, "It's the Water". The "Pale Export Type Beer" descriptor is prominently featured, paired with the historic statement declaring that the purity and solvent properties of the region's artesian waters enabled the brewery to achieve brewing perfection.

Manufacturing and Collector Variations

Breweriana collectors recognize several manufacturing variations that appeared across different canning runs:

• Metallurgy and Construction: Cans exist in both traditional steel bodies with side seams and lightweight drawn aluminum bodies.
• Manufacturer Marks: Production runs feature markings from different packaging suppliers, including Continental Can Company and American Can Company.
• Mandatory Text: Earlier examples state Olympia, Washington as the sole brewing location, whereas later versions list multiple brewing locations following company expansions and regional facility acquisitions.
• Graphic and Text Alterations: Differences also exist in gold enamel shading, border line weights, and the placement of statutory alcohol labeling.

Historical Significance

As one of the defining mid-century packaged products from Washington's foremost regional brewing company, this can serves as a cornerstone piece for collectors of Pacific Northwest breweriana and classic American canned beverage history.