Rainier Beer Flat Top Can

Sicks' Rainier Spokane Flat Top

Produced by Sicks' Rainier Brewing in Spokane, Washington, this Rainier Beer flat top can holds a celebrated place in Pacific Northwest breweriana history. Operating as part of the regional brewing network established by Emil Sick, the Spokane facility served as a key packaging and distribution hub for Eastern Washington, Idaho, and the broader Inland Northwest.

Regional Mandatory Markings

While Rainier's bold red gothic typography and heraldic crest elements were standardized across the Pacific Northwest, cans packaged in Spokane are distinguished by mandatory statement text identifying Sicks' Rainier Brewing in Spokane. This explicit brewery designation separates them from counterpart cans packaged at the primary Seattle plant.

Design Variations

Collectors document multiple variations originating from the Spokane plant. These variations include subtle shifts in mandatory statement formatting, differences in metallic background tones, and distinct top lid stampings applied to satisfy regional alcohol tax and content requirements across adjoining distribution territories. The Spokane plant also produced cans featuring decorative graphic themes, including illustrated toast scenes and commemorative series.

The Seattle Wind Tunnel Discovery

Rainier flat top cans achieved legendary status in breweriana collecting following the famous Seattle wind tunnel discovery. A massive cache of preserved Rainier cans from both the Spokane and Seattle packaging lines was uncovered sealed inside a decommissioned aeronautical wind tunnel in Washington. This historic event brought major hobby prominence to Sicks' mid-century packaging and cemented these Spokane-labeled cans as iconic staples among Pacific Northwest collectors.