Pabst Old Tankard Ale 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Pabst Old Tankard Ale Tab Top

The Pabst Old Tankard Ale 12 Oz Tab Top Can represents a key piece of breweriana from the Milwaukee-based Pabst Brewing Company. While Pabst was primarily recognized across the country for its flagship Blue Ribbon lager, Old Tankard Ale served as the company's premier ale offering, holding a rich heritage that extends back to the earliest years of American canned beer.

Graphic Design and Visual Appeal

The can features an eye-catching aesthetic dominated by a deep green background, setting it visually apart from Pabst's standard blue, white, and red color scheme. The central visual motif is the prominent swashbuckler illustration—a spirited cavalier proudly raising a foaming tankard of ale, enclosed within a decorative oval medallion. Traditional typography and bold branding frame the illustration, projecting an old-world tavern theme that was central to the label's identity.

Manufacturing Details and Variations

Collectors actively catalog several variations of this can. These differences typically appear in the mandatory side-panel text, specifically reflecting changes in Pabst's active brewing facilities, such as listings including Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Peoria Heights, Illinois; Newark, New Jersey; and Los Angeles, California. Other subtle variations exist in the metallic gold trim, the formatting of the contents text, and top lids featuring various state-mandated alcohol statements or factory markings.

Collector Significance

Because ales represented a much smaller share of national production compared to mainstream American lagers during this era, Old Tankard Ale cans remain a favorite among breweriana enthusiasts. The combination of historical brand heritage, vibrant graphic art, and multi-plant variations makes this can a staple display piece for Pabst and regional brewing history collections.