Ortlieb's A Fine Lager Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Ortlieb's Fine Lager Tab Top

Produced by the Henry F. Ortlieb Brewing Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 12-ounce tab top represents one of the most recognizable regional labels from Philadelphia's storied brewing heritage. Ortlieb's operated out of its historic multi-building complex in the Northern Liberties neighborhood on North American and 3rd Streets, serving as a staple of the Delaware Valley brewing scene.

The label features the distinctive Ortlieb cursive script accompanied by the "A Fine Lager Beer" designation. Cans from this era are closely associated with memorable regional marketing campaigns led by company president Joseph "Joe" Ortlieb, who enthusiastically championed local independent brewing and famously urged consumers to "Try Joe's Beer". Ortlieb's remained a resilient local favorite before the brand was ultimately acquired by the Christian Schmidt Brewing Company in the early 1980s.

For breweriana enthusiasts, this can is a noteworthy regional collectible with documented manufacturing variations. Known variations include differences in can manufacturer marks—such as Crown Cork & Seal and National Can Company—as well as variations in mandatory text formatting, bottom rim profiles, and subtle differences in metallic gold, red, and enamel paint finishes.