Pabst Blue Ribbon Ale Flat Top Can

Pabst Blue Ribbon Ale Overview

The Pabst Blue Ribbon Ale flat top can represents one of the more elusive and celebrated packaging releases from Pabst Brewing Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While the brewery achieved massive national distribution with its flagship Blue Ribbon lager, its companion canned ale was produced in significantly lower quantities, making it a prized focus for breweriana collectors.

Graphic Design

Contrasting with the familiar white, blue, and red color scheme standard on classic Pabst lager cans, the Ale can is distinguished by its deep green and metallic background palette. The central display features the iconic Pabst Blue Ribbon crest paired with bold lettering designating the contents as ale. Side panels on these cans often showcased cross-promotional graphics, including illustrations of Pabst's "Full" and "Club" size export bottles.

Variations and Collector Significance

Manufactured using American Can Company's "Keglined" process, these cans carry the maker's trademark oval near the seam. Multiple variations are known to exist across different production runs. These variations feature subtle differences in mandatory government text, Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) statements, and company vanity lids decorated with Pabst insignia. Because Pabst marketed its ale in more targeted regional distributions than its primary lager, surviving examples remain standout pieces of mid-century Milwaukee brewing history.