Schmidt Draft 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Schmidt Draft Cans from St. Paul

The Schmidt Draft 12-ounce tab top can represents a notable era of packaging from the Jacob Schmidt Brewing division under Associated Brewing Company in St. Paul, Minnesota. Associated Brewing operated the historic Saint Paul facility along West Seventh Street, continuing the regional legacy of the brand famously marketed with the slogan, "The Brew That Grew With The Great Northwest".

During the Associated Brewing Company ownership, Schmidt expanded its packaging lineup to include draft beer offerings adorned with detailed outdoor and sporting artwork. These illustrations celebrated Midwestern traditions such as fishing, game hunting, and regional wildlife. Collectors frequently categorize these cans within broader scenic series, as the draft line showcased varied illustrative themes on the panels alongside the bold Schmidt Draft wordmark.

Several variations exist across the line, featuring differing mandatory text layouts, brewery designation statements, and graphic elements depending on the production run. Because Associated Brewing operated multiple facilities across the country while managing regional labels, the Saint Paul mandatory markings tie these specific cans directly to the historic Minnesota plant before the facility changed ownership again in subsequent decades.

Today, the Schmidt Draft tab top remains a staple of Upper Midwest breweriana collections, celebrated for its connection to Minnesota's brewing heritage and the outdoor imagery that defined Schmidt's regional advertising.