Ortlieb's A Fine Lager Beer 16 Oz Tab Top Can

Ortlieb's 16 Oz Philadelphia Can

The Ortlieb's A Fine Lager Beer 16 oz tab top can represents a notable chapter in the history of independent Pennsylvania brewing. Produced by the Henry F. Ortlieb Brewing Company in Philadelphia's Northern Liberties neighborhood, this half-quart container was marketed to regional drinkers across the Mid-Atlantic.

Ortlieb's traced its lineage to Trupert Ortlieb before establishing its longtime brewing facility along North American and North Third Streets. Throughout its decades of family operation, the brewery maintained a fierce local presence while competing against large national brands. In the brewery's later independent era, company president Joseph Ortlieb championed the brand through memorable promotional campaigns, famously urging local drinkers to "Try Joe's Beer".

Graphic Features & Presentation

The 16 oz tall can layout showcases traditional Ortlieb's graphic styling:

• Bold Ortlieb's script and classic heraldic crest elements.
• The traditional "A Fine Lager Beer" brand designation.
• Prominent one-pint / 16 fl. oz. volume indicators.

Collector Notes & Variations

For breweriana collectors, this half-quart can provides several interesting details across production runs:

• Variations: Documented variations exist among these cans, distinguished by subtle differences such as the inclusion of metric volume indicators, variations in mandatory legal phrasing, and the presence or absence of postal zip codes.
• Can Composition: Depending on the production run, cans were manufactured in drawn steel or aluminum body formats.
• Brewery Transition: Following the acquisition of the Ortlieb brand by the Christian Schmidt Brewing Company, packaging transitioned away from the original Philadelphia plant, making authentic Henry F. Ortlieb-mandated cans significant artifacts of Philadelphia brewing history.