Rainier Beer Flat Top Can

Rainier Beer: Sicks' Spokane Can

Manufactured for Sicks' Spokane Brewery in Spokane, Washington, this Rainier Beer can represents a significant chapter in Pacific Northwest brewing history. Operated under the regional brewing empire established by Emil Sick, the Spokane facility supplied Rainier products primarily across Eastern Washington and the Inland Northwest.

Historical Context & Collector Significance

Rainier cans bearing the Spokane brewery mandatory text hold an important place in breweriana collections, serving as regional counterparts to the more widely distributed cans from the Seattle plant. During the mid-20th century, Rainier launched extensive graphic campaigns, most notably the Jubilee and 'Rainier for Life' decorative sets. Cans bearing the Spokane imprint were produced across various thematic series featuring pictorial party scenes, leisure activities, and regional vignettes.

Spokane-labeled Rainier flat tops became central to one of the most famous events in beer can collecting lore: the Seattle wind tunnel discovery. When a massive stash of historical cans was uncovered from a forgotten industrial storage space, collectors identified significant quantities of uncirculated cans from both the Seattle and Spokane operations. This event brought heightened attention to the decorative lithography and wide color palette employed by the Spokane plant.

Can Variations

Collectors actively track multiple variations of the Sicks' Spokane flat top:

• Mandatory Text Variations: Packaging lines feature slight wording differences in the mandatory distributor and brewery statements, alternating between designations like Sicks' Spokane Brewery and Sicks' Rainier Brewing Co.
• Vanity Lids: Select canning runs featured promotional vanity top lids stamped with Rainier branding or state-specific alcohol tax markings.
• Color and Subject Runs: The Spokane facility issued cans with varying background metallic tones and illustrated panels, making the pursuit of complete set runs a staple of Pacific Northwest collecting.