Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer Flat Top Can

Mid-Century Pabst Flat Top

This vintage flat top can dates from the 1950s and represents one of the classic mid-century packaging designs for Pabst Brewing Company. The front features the signature blue rosette medallion framing the brand script, accompanied by the promotional slogan "Finest BEER served... anywhere!" lithographed in metallic gold script near the bottom rim. Notably, the can includes both imperial and metric measurements near the top—"12 Fl. Ounces (35.5 Centiliters)"—and carries mandatory brewery listings indicating production across three brewery locations operated by the company during its nationwide post-war expansion.

The Brand

Originally introduced in the late 19th century as Select and later Best Select, the beer earned a reputation for quality when Frederick Pabst began tying real silk blue ribbons around the necks of the bottles. After taking top honors at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the beer officially adopted the Pabst Blue Ribbon name in 1898. Throughout the mid-20th century, PBR was heavily promoted across radio, print, and television broadcasts, pairing catchphrases like "What'll you have?" with the iconic blue ribbon emblem. The brand persisted through changing consumer tastes over subsequent decades, ultimately achieving a major cultural resurgence in the 21st century.

The Brewery

Pabst Brewing Company traces its roots to 1844, when Jacob Best established the Empire Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Under the leadership of Captain Frederick Pabst, the brewery expanded into one of the largest brewing empires in the United States. The company weathered Prohibition by producing non-alcoholic malt syrup and Pabst-ett processed cheese, allowing it to quickly resume large-scale brewing upon Repeal. During the post-war era, Pabst acquired breweries in Peoria Heights, Newark, and Los Angeles to meet nationwide demand. Although the historic downtown Milwaukee facility ceased brewing operations in 1996, Pabst remains one of America's most recognizable heritage beer names.

Collecting Context

Mid-century flat top cans from major national brewers are foundational cornerstones of American breweriana collecting. Pabst Blue Ribbon flat tops from this era remain popular display pieces due to their balanced typography, metallic gold trim, and immediate brand recognition among vintage can enthusiasts.