Rainier Beer Flat Top Can

1957 Rainier Jubilee Flat Top

The Rainier Jubilee Geographic Flat Top

Issued in 1957 by Sicks' Rainier Brewing in Seattle, Washington, this twelve-ounce flat top belongs to the celebrated Rainier Jubilee program, specifically cataloged within the eighth Jubilee set. Finished in enamel with a black and light grey palette, this can features the "Party/Geographic" thematic motif across its lower panel, showcasing a stylized regional map. The upper portion displays the brand's classic presentation, bisected by a diagonal gold ribbon bearing the promotional slogan "Rainier for Life". A prominent red script "R"—stylized with marquee dots framing an outline of Mount Rainier—anchors the face above the brand tagline "Truly mild".

Brand Heritage and Promotion

Rainier Beer originated in Seattle in 1878, named in honor of the iconic Cascade mountain overlooking Puget Sound. Through the mid-twentieth century, the brand positioned itself as the definitive regional beverage of the Pacific Northwest. Packaging redesigns in the 1950s by industrial designer Walter Landor established Rainier's enduring script typography and colorful aesthetic. Paired with extensive marketing campaigns, festive packaging releases, and memorable slogans, Rainier grew into a regional cultural powerhouse before corporate consolidation eventually brought the label under the Pabst Brewing Company umbrella.

Brewery History

The brewery traces its lineage to Andrew Hemrich and the Seattle Brewing & Malting Company. When Washington enacted statewide prohibition in 1916—predating federal legislation—operations shifted to San Francisco. Following repeal in 1933, brewing entrepreneur Emil Sick established Sick's Century Brewing Company in Seattle and subsequently secured rights to brew and market Rainier beer across the Northwest. In the spring of 1957, stockholders officially changed the corporate name to Sicks' Rainier Brewing Co. The company's Airport Way facility remained an active regional icon for decades until industry consolidation led to its acquisition by G. Heileman Brewing in 1977.

Collecting Context

The Rainier Jubilee series represents one of the most ambitious and beloved packaging programs in American breweriana. Originally conceived in the 1950s as a milestone anniversary celebration before expanding into diverse themes—such as the Party, Cartoon, and Brewery series—the multi-year program produced a wide assortment of color combinations and scenic variations. Flat tops from the Jubilee series remain prized cornerstones for collectors of Pacific Northwest cans and mid-century graphic design.