Rheinlander Extra Pale Beer Flat Top Can

Rheinlander 11 oz Flat Top Can

This mid-century flat top container represents a classic Pacific Northwest regional offering, packaged in the distinctive 11-fluid-ounce volume that was widely popular across Washington and Oregon. The front display features a split-color layout with an orange side panel depicting a stylized European hillside castle and a golden-yellow panel showcasing stalks of barley. Above the bold brand name sits a stylized crown emblem highlighting the "Select" designation, paired with script lettering designating the brew as a light, pale beer.

The Brand

The Rheinlander brand was established shortly after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 under the brewing empire developed by Emil Sick. Positioned as a crisp, European-inspired pale lager, the brand was initially marketed with memorable slogans such as "The tang of the Rhein, for the Beer of the Century." Over the following decades, Rheinlander served as a dependable, budget-friendly sibling to Sick's flagship Rainier label, sustaining strong popularity throughout the Pacific Northwest before market consolidation phased out many secondary regional lines in the late 20th century.

The Brewery

Following Repeal, Emil Sick partnered with Harry Goetz to establish brewing operations in eastern Washington, quickly outgrowing their initial facility and acquiring the historic Galland-Burke plant to incorporate Spokane Breweries, Inc. in late 1936. As a dedicated branch within the Sick's brewing network, the Spokane facility produced Rainier, Sick's Select, and Rheinlander for distributors throughout the Inland Empire and neighboring states. The plant operated as an industrial anchor in Spokane until increasing competition and centralized production led to its closure in 1962.

Collecting Context

Cans from the Pacific Northwest during the flat top era are highly prized by regional breweriana collectors, particularly examples manufactured in the distinctive 11-ounce capacity. Because the Spokane branch operated for a limited post-repeal window before closing in the early 1960s, items bearing the Spokane mandatory statement represent a celebrated chapter in Washington State brewing history.