Schmidt Extra Special Beer Flat Top Can

Schmidt Extra Special Flat Top

The Schmidt Extra Special Beer Flat Top Can represents a celebrated chapter in Midwestern brewing heritage from the Jacob Schmidt Brewing Company of St. Paul, Minnesota. Long celebrated by its regional slogan, "The Brew That Grew With The Great Northwest", the Jacob Schmidt brewery issued the Extra Special label to serve markets throughout the Upper Midwest.

Design and Aesthetics

The can features a prominent metallic gold finish and rich contrasting colors, anchored by bold typography that highlights the "Extra Special" designation. The front panel displays the traditional Jacob Schmidt brand crest and script lettering. An appealing detail for breweriana collectors is the presence of factory-issued vanity lids on select runs, which featured custom brewery branding pressed directly onto the top lid.

Manufacturing and Variations

Produced across multiple manufacturing contracts, examples of this can bear maker marks from major can manufacturers such as the American Can Company—complete with the "Keglined" oval logo—as well as the Continental Can Company. Collectors track multiple label variations that reflect changing corporate structures over time, including mandatory text revisions attributing production to Jacob Schmidt Brewing Company, Pfeiffer Brewing Company DBA Jacob Schmidt, or Associated Brewing Company DBA Jacob Schmidt. Additional differences appear in fine-print canning notations, such as "Brewed and Filled" versus "Brewed and Packed," as well as state-specific tax and alcohol statement markings.

Collectibility

Among collectors of Saint Paul breweriana and Great Northwest beer cans, the Schmidt Extra Special flat top is a standout display piece. While the brewery is widely known for its multi-scene wildlife and outdoor series, this standalone flagship brand remains a cornerstone piece of Jacob Schmidt brewing memorabilia.