Schlitz Beer Flat Top Can

Los Angeles Schlitz Flat Top Can

The Schlitz Beer flat top produced by the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company at its Los Angeles, California plant represents a significant era of post-war West Coast expansion for the brewing giant. Long hailed under the famed slogan "The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous," Schlitz established its massive Los Angeles facility in the San Fernando Valley during the mid-1950s to satisfy booming regional demand without relying solely on rail shipments from the Midwest.

The can displays the classic Schlitz aesthetic, anchored by the iconic belted globe emblem against a rich metallic gold, deep red, and white color scheme. Cans originating from this facility feature the Los Angeles municipal designation on the side text, making them distinct artifacts of California's mid-century brewing landscape.

Throughout its manufacturing run at the West Coast plant, major suppliers such as the American Can Company and Continental Can Company produced these containers. Known variations exist across different production runs, reflecting minor adjustments in mandatory statutory text, typography, metallic lacquer hues, and lid stamping. Examples from this regional plant were also produced across different volume formats, including standard sizes and extended half-quart containers. Later iterations manufactured for the facility documented the transition toward metallurgical experiments, including early aluminum soft-top lids, before self-opening cans reshaped the market.

Today, this flat top can remains a staple among West Coast breweriana collectors, capturing a transformative moment when national brewing titans expanded regional manufacturing to dominate the Pacific market.