Pabst Old Tankard Ale Flat Top Can

Pabst Old Tankard Ale Flat Top

The Pabst Old Tankard Ale flat top can holds a notable place in American breweriana as one of the earliest examples of national canned beer packaging. When the American Can Company developed the "Keglined" flat top container, Pabst was among the first major national breweries to adopt the new format, choosing to introduce Old Tankard Ale and Export Beer in cans rather than risking its flagship Blue Ribbon brand.

Early versions of the Old Tankard Ale can prominently featured the trademarked "Keglined" branding alongside traditional tavern-themed imagery and Old English typography. Text panels on the can highlighted the benefits of the container, emphasizing protection against light exposure and tampering.

Collectors recognize several variations of this flat top across its lifespan. Minor differences exist in typography—such as block lettering versus script styling—as well as slight modifications in brewery legal statements, plant location text, and graphic borders. As a prominent fixture of Pabst's mid-century portfolio, the Old Tankard Ale flat top stands as a landmark artifact from the formative years of canned breweriana.