Schlitz Beer Test Can

1973 Schlitz Green Test Can

During the early 1970s, the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company engaged in extensive packaging experiments to evaluate new visual concepts, metallic coatings, and lithographic color schemes. Produced in 1973, this 12-ounce straight steel can originated from Schlitz operations associated with Winston-Salem, North Carolina, reflecting an era when the brewery operated large-scale production facilities across the United States.

Design and Characteristics

Rather than using standard commercial production graphics, this experimental test can features a distinctive metallic green finish. The mandatory text on the container lists eight brewing cities, documenting the widespread regional network Schlitz maintained during its peak production years. Such test cans allowed packaging engineers and marketing executives to evaluate shelf appearance, ink adhesion, and reflective finishes before committing to large-scale retail distribution.

Several graphic and text variations exist among Schlitz test containers from this period, reflecting the iterative design trials common in container manufacturing. Visual documentation and reference imagery for this specimen come courtesy of Morean Auctions.