Rainier Beer Flat Top Can

Rainier Jubilee Party/Games Can

The 1957 Rainier Beer flat top can represents a vibrant entry in the celebrated Rainier Jubilee series produced by Sicks' Rainier Brewing Company in Seattle, Washington. Finished in purple and darker pink enamel, this 12-ounce container belongs to the thematic "Party" grouping within the Jubilee line, specifically showcasing the "Games" motif. The front display is anchored by the brand's classic calligraphic red "R" adorned with yellow dots, set over a background illustrating hops and mountain peaks. Across the upper diagonal sash runs the promotional tagline, "Rainier for Life". The lower portion of the can features stylized mid-century game illustrations, including a chess knight, scattering bowling pins, a bullseye target, dice, and playing cards.

Rainier Beer traces its roots back to 1878 in Washington Territory, introduced by brewmaster Andrew Hemrich before Washington had achieved statehood. Taking its name from Mount Rainier, the brand became a cultural icon in the Pacific Northwest. Throughout the twentieth century, Rainier relied on engaging packaging innovations and clever marketing campaigns, including regional sports sponsorships and memorable slogans promoting leisure and Northwest lifestyle, cementing its place as a regional staple.

The brewery behind this can originated when Hemrich and his partners merged several regional breweries to form the Seattle Brewing & Malting Company in 1893. Following the disruptions of state and federal Prohibition, brewing entrepreneur Emil Sick acquired the historic Bayview facility in Seattle and secured the Rainier brand name in 1935, operating under the Sick family nameplate. Sicks' Rainier Brewing expanded its footprint across the Northwest, running plants in Seattle and Spokane. The company remained a prominent regional powerhouse until 1977, when it was acquired by the G. Heileman Brewing Company, with the brand eventually transitioning into the portfolio of the Pabst Brewing Company.

The Rainier Jubilee series holds a prominent place in breweriana history. Conceived in the 1950s as a decorative marketing concept, the Jubilee releases spanned numerous visual themes, graphics, and diverse color combinations. As a quintessential example of mid-century commercial graphic design, Jubilee cans from Sicks' Seattle plant remain perennial favorites among regional and set collectors.