Schlitz Light Special Lager Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Schlitz Light Memphis Tab Top

The Schlitz Light Special Lager Beer 12 oz tab top can represents a notable chapter in the history of the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company during the height of the light beer revolution. Following the industry-wide shift toward reduced-calorie offerings, Schlitz introduced Schlitz Light as a premium alternative, retaining the "Special Lager" designation on the label to emphasize the company's traditional brewing heritage.

Memphis Brewery Production

This can is tied directly to the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company's facility in Memphis, Tennessee. The Raines Road brewery in Memphis was one of the largest and most modern brewing complexes in the country after its opening, designed to package and ship millions of barrels across the southern and central United States. Cans filled at the Memphis plant are typically identified by the city's presence in the side-panel mandatory brewery listings, often accompanied by plant-specific indicator dots or factory stampings.

Design and Branding

The graphic presentation shifted away from the dark brown and deep red colors characteristic of standard Schlitz cans, adopting a clean, light background with bold blue and red accents. The classic Schlitz script and globe logo remained prominent, flanked by large "Light" and "Special Lager" typography designed to catch consumers' attention on retail shelves.

Collector Variations

For breweriana collectors, the Memphis Schlitz Light can is an important piece of 1970s brewing history. Variations exist across production runs, featuring subtle differences in side-panel mandatory text arrangements, copyright notices, and lid specifications.