Schlitz Beer Cone Top Can

Schlitz Cone Top Can History

The Schlitz Beer cone top can represents a landmark milestone in breweriana history. Produced by the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, it holds historical prominence as Schlitz was the first major national brewer to adopt the cone top format in partnership with the Continental Can Company.

Packaging Innovations and Evolution

Continental Can designed this container architecture so breweries could fill cans using their existing bottling line machinery with minimal modification. The earliest versions manufactured by Continental featured flat bottoms and inverted ribs along the cone collar. However, condensation tended to pool in the inverted ribbing and filling difficulties arose with flat bases, prompting a transition to raised collar ribs and concave bottoms. Over its lifespan, the can appeared in both low profile and high profile cone silhouettes.

Notable Variations

Collectors recognize multiple variations of the Schlitz cone top, reflecting evolving regulatory mandates and corporate packaging updates:

• Branding Elements: Cans display differing arrangements of the classic Schlitz script logo alongside the famous slogan, "The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous."
• Regulatory Text: Variations feature differing tax statements, including Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) designations and assorted state-mandated alcohol declarations.
• Military Production: During World War II, non-reflective olive drab camouflage versions were manufactured for distribution to armed forces serving overseas.

Due to its role as a pioneering national release and its wide array of manufacturing revisions, the Jos. Schlitz cone top remains a foundational centerpiece for can collectors.