Rainier Beer Flat Top Can

1957 Rainier Jubilee Party Can

Issued in 1957, this 12-ounce flat top can represents part of the celebrated Rainier Jubilee 08 set produced by Sicks' Rainier Brewing in Seattle, Washington. The design belongs to the popular "Party" series, showcasing a "Hunting & Fishing" outdoor motif along the lower half with illustrations of a hooked game fish, swimming wildlife, and deer in the brush beneath a pink-enameled sky. The upper section features the brand's signature dotted red script lettermark, a diagonal gold banner displaying the slogan "Rainier for Life," and subtle hop vine line work integrated into the white background.

The Rainier Brand

Rainier Beer traces its roots back to 1878 when brewmaster Andrew Hemrich established brewing operations in Seattle. Named after the prominent regional landmark Mount Rainier, the brand grew into a defining symbol of the Pacific Northwest. Throughout the mid-twentieth century, marketing positioned Rainier as a crisp, naturally mild companion to active lifestyle and outdoor recreation. The Jubilee can initiative, introduced during the 1950s, became an enduring promotional tradition, offering rotating seasonal artwork that resonated strongly with local consumers. The brand later gained national fame for eccentric television commercials before transitioning through corporate acquisitions, remaining active today under Pabst Brewing Company.

Brewery History

Following the repeal of Washington's early state prohibition and federal Prohibition, Canadian brewer Emil Sick acquired the historic Bay View brewing facility in Seattle in 1933. Sick revived the business as Century Brewing, eventually acquiring the rights to the historic Rainier label in 1935 and consolidating full brand ownership by the early 1950s. Operating as Sicks' Rainier Brewing Co., the brewery expanded into a regional powerhouse operating plants in both Seattle and Spokane. Sicks' Rainier remained an independent civic pillar until its sale to G. Heileman Brewing Company in 1977, with Seattle production eventually coming to a close in 1999.

Collecting Context

The multi-year Rainier Jubilee releases are widely considered among the most extensive and visually ambitious sets in American beer can history. Enthusiasts covet Jubilee cans for their rich thematic variety, vibrant enamel colorways, and mid-century graphic styling, making individual examples from the 1950s foundational pieces for regional and pictorial collectors alike.