Sicks' Select Beer Flat Top Can

Sicks' Select Beer Can of Salem

The Sicks' Select Beer Flat Top Can represents a notable mid-century chapter in Pacific Northwest brewing heritage, stemming from the operations of Sicks' Brewing Company in Salem, Oregon.

Brewery Background

The Salem facility originated as the historic Salem Brewery Association before being acquired by Emil Sick's expanding enterprise. Under the Sicks' banner, the facility became an integral regional production hub for the flagship Sicks' Select brand, distributing canned beer across Pacific Northwest markets until the Salem plant ceased brewing operations in the 1950s.

Graphic Design and Labeling

Designed for bold shelf appeal, the can features mid-century typography alongside the distinctive Sicks' brand crest and script. Cans originating from the Salem facility carried the slogan "A Sicks' Quality Product," reflecting the company's cohesive brand identity across its regional breweries. The clean aesthetic showcases the post-Prohibition commercial design work prominent throughout the era.

Production Variations

For collectors of Oregon breweriana, examples from the Salem canning lines exhibit several notable variations. These include differences with and without the Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) statement, instructional opening side panels, and distinct statutory alcohol markings—such as specific lid or body text required for distribution in various state markets. Different canning manufacturer codes also mark separate production runs from this era.

While the Salem plant also introduced companion labels like Brew 66 in its final operational years, the Sicks' Select flat top remains a central piece of Salem's industrial brewing history.