Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer Flat Top Can

Pabst Blue Ribbon Flat Top Can

The Pabst Blue Ribbon flat top can, produced by the Pabst Brewing Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, stands as one of the most recognizable artifacts of twentieth-century American breweriana. Pabst was among the first major national breweries to embrace canning technology, partnering with the American Can Company to package beer using the patented "Keglined" interior coating designed to protect the product from metal contact.

The exterior graphics feature the signature diagonal blue ribbon across the face of the can, paying homage to the historic blue silk ribbons hand-tied to bottles following recognition at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Multiple variations of the can exist throughout the flat top packaging era. Collectors distinguish these variations by differences in mandatory federal text—such as the presence of the Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) statement—as well as variations in city designations, lid stamping, and manufacturer trademarks from can makers like American Can Company and Continental Can Company.

During World War II, Pabst produced olive-drab flat top cans bearing tax-exempt export statements specifically designated for shipment to Allied military personnel overseas. The civilian flat top versions remain essential display cornerstones for enthusiasts documenting the mid-century evolution of Milwaukee brewing and national beer packaging.