Regal Select Beer Flat Top Can

Maier's Regal Select Flat Top

Produced during the early 1960s, this 12-ounce flat top can represents a classic mid-century package from Los Angeles's Maier Brewing Company. The front design is defined by a bold harlequin diamond pattern, showcasing a crowned heraldic lion positioned between dual colored ovals bearing the stylized "Regal Select" brand name. A notable detail distinguishing this specific variation is the absence of the promotional tagline "Recognized As One Of America's Two Great Beers," which appeared along the upper rim on other contemporary production runs of the label.

The Regal brand originated in Northern California with the Regal Pale Brewing Company of San Francisco. Following the closure of that facility in the early 1960s, the intellectual property was absorbed into the expanding brewing network of industrialist Paul Kalmanovitz. Rebranded and distributed as Regal Select, the beer was positioned aggressively in the economy and grocery market segments throughout California and neighboring western states. Backed by competitive retail pricing and extensive promotional tie-ins, Regal Select became a familiar staple on West Coast shelves.

Maier Brewing Company traces its heritage back to 1875, when German immigrants established what became one of Southern California's longest-surviving industrial breweries along Commercial Street in downtown Los Angeles. Maier weathered the challenges of national Prohibition by manufacturing near-beer and alternate malt beverages, successfully resuming full-strength brewing upon repeal. After Kalmanovitz acquired the brewery in the late 1950s, the Los Angeles facility pivoted toward high-volume economy labels, contract brewing, and regional acquisitions. Maier remained a major regional producer until its operations were integrated into General Brewing and eventually closed during the consolidation waves of the 1970s.

For breweriana enthusiasts, this can serves as an evocative artifact of post-war California packaging. Collectors of regional flat tops prize the heraldic imagery and the label variations that document Maier's marketing efforts during an era of fierce competition against national brewing giants.