Rainier Beer Flat Top Can

Pacific Northwest Classic

The Rainier Beer flat top can produced by Sicks' Seattle Brewing & Malting Co. in Seattle, Washington, stands as a cornerstone of Pacific Northwest breweriana history. Managed under Emil Sick after the repeal of Prohibition, the Seattle facility revitalized the Rainier label into one of the most recognizable regional beer brands in the western United States.

Regional Iconography and Graphic Design

Standard production flat tops from Sicks' Seattle featured the bold, red Rainier script set against contrasting white and metallic backgrounds, framed by the silhouette of Mount Rainier. Beyond standard retail cans, the brewery gained widespread recognition among collectors for its Jubilee and decorative series. These illustrated releases departed from conventional commercial packaging, showcasing vignettes of outdoor recreation, Northwest folklore such as Paul Bunyan, festive social gatherings, and traditional drinking songs.

Because these cans were produced across different production runs, collectors actively seek out variations in mandatory brewery phrasing, factory rim text, and subtle metallic color shades.

The Seattle Wind Tunnel Discovery

One of the most notable events in beer can collecting history is closely tied to this canning line. A massive cache containing thousands of Rainier flat top cans from Sicks' Seattle Brewing & Malting Co. was uncovered inside a decommissioned wind tunnel facility in Seattle. The find included a vast assortment of decorative Jubilee designs, color shifts, and label variations that had previously been elusive to collectors. This historic event significantly expanded documentation of the brewery's mid-century can lines and cemented the Rainier flat top's status among breweriana enthusiasts.