People's Beer Flat Top Can

Peoples Beer Flat Top History

Produced by the Peoples Brewing Company of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the Peoples Beer flat top can holds an esteemed position in Midwestern breweriana. The brewery originally opened in 1913, founded by local tavern keepers and workers seeking independence from larger regional brewing operations.

The graphic design of the Peoples Beer can showcases a clean mid-century aesthetic, prominently featuring the brand name alongside the brewery's long-running slogan, "Hits The Spot!" The label artwork also displays the company emblem and designates the Oshkosh brewing location. Known variations across production runs include differences in top lid composition—such as steel versus aluminum lids—as well as subtle adjustments in mandatory text layout and manufacturer stamps from packaging suppliers like the Continental Can Company.

Beyond its local appeal, cans from Peoples Brewing Company represent a milestone in American industrial history. In 1970, activist and former brewery executive Theodore "Ted" Mack Sr., along with a group of investors under United Black Enterprises, purchased Peoples Brewing Company. This acquisition made Peoples one of the earliest Black-owned and operated breweries in the United States. Under Mack's leadership, the company sought to expand distribution across the country while continuing to package its flagship label in Oshkosh until operations concluded in 1972.

Today, cans bearing the Oshkosh Peoples imprint serve as notable historical artifacts, documenting both classic Wisconsin brewing heritage and a pioneering chapter of African American enterprise.