Schlitz Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Schlitz Memphis Tab Top Can

The Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company expanded its nationwide production capacity by operating a high-volume brewing and canning facility located on Raines Road in Memphis, Tennessee. This 12-ounce tab top container represents that era of southern manufacturing expansion for the brewing giant.

Packaging and Factory Identification

During this period of multi-plant operations, Schlitz cans carried a standard listing of company facilities across the country, including Milwaukee, Tampa, Longview, Los Angeles, Winston-Salem, and Memphis. Rather than generating separate label artwork for every location, the brewery utilized a plant designation mark. Cans filled at the Tennessee facility are distinguished by a small indicator dot printed directly above or adjacent to "Memphis, TN" within the mandatory roster.

Graphic Design and Construction

The can showcases the traditional Schlitz livery, anchored by the iconic belted globe trademark and the flowing cursive Schlitz script. The prominent slogan, "The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous," appears alongside standard volume disclosures and brewery mandatory text. The container bodies were fabricated using lightweight aluminum by major can suppliers such as Reynolds Aluminum.

Collector Notes and Variations

For breweriana collectors, examples associated with the Memphis plant serve as tangible artifacts of the company's peak industrial distribution network. Variations exist across production runs, showing subtle differences in mandatory wording placement, side-panel layout, recycling logos, and container manufacturer marks.