Schlitz Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Schlitz Los Angeles 12 Oz Tab Top

The Schlitz Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can represents an important era of packaging for the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company, originating from its Los Angeles, California packaging facility. Built to serve the expanding West Coast market, the Los Angeles facility played a central role in distributing Schlitz's flagship brew throughout the region.

Graphic Design and Branding

The exterior of the can features the classic mid-century visual identity of the Jos. Schlitz brand. Anchored by the flowing, italicized Schlitz script logo, the design prominently features the long-standing slogan, "The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous". The layout balances bold contrasting color bands with traditional brewery heraldry. The mandatory text on the side panels specifically identifies the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company's Los Angeles location.

Packaging Significance

Schlitz was instrumental in accelerating the national adoption of tab top cans, marketing its self-opening lids as the "Pop Top". The Los Angeles plant supplied cans that helped establish this easy-open format as an industry standard across western distribution networks.

Collector Notes & Variations

For breweriana enthusiasts focusing on West Coast canning lines, examples bearing the Los Angeles plant designation remain key targets. Variations exist across production runs from the facility:

• Mandatory Text Configurations: Cans feature differences in legal text layout, ranging from standalone Los Angeles location markings to multi-city brewery lists where Los Angeles is indicated alongside other regional plants.
• Can Stock and Fabrication: Examples exist with straight steel bodies as well as different seam construction methods and can manufacturer stamps.
• Lid and Top Variations: Variations appear in rim construction, metal gauge, and tab designs depending on the canning line equipment used during manufacturing.