Silver Top Old Time Lager Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Silver Top Old Time Lager Tab Top

This twelve-ounce straight steel tab top container represents the pull-tab era of regional Pennsylvania brewing. Notable for its enamel silver finish on the central graphics, the can incorporates a literal toy spinning top emblem into its core badge, crowned by an arched "Old Time Lager" ribbon. Produced during the height of the steel pull-tab transition, this design highlights the visual styling Duquesne used to bridge its traditional turn-of-the-century heritage with modern retail packaging.

Duquesne introduced the Silver Top moniker around the turn of the twentieth century, establishing it as one of the earliest pasteurized bottled lagers in the region. Following the repeal of Prohibition, the brewery revived Silver Top alongside its flagship Duquesne Pilsener, positioning it as an authentic, value-oriented "Old Time Lager" tailored to working-class tastes. Regional advertising campaigns highlighted its traditional brewing pedigree and modest price point. The label remained a staple across taverns and groceries in Western Pennsylvania for decades before production ceased following the brewery's closure, when brand assets were acquired by Philadelphia's C. Schmidt & Sons.

The Duquesne Brewing Company was incorporated in Pittsburgh in 1899 by local entrepreneurs aiming to compete against existing brewing trusts with modernized equipment. Operating from its multi-story facility on the South Side Flats, the company weathered Prohibition by affiliating with the Independent Brewing Company consortium before reforming as an independent entity in 1933. Widely recognized as the home of the "Prince of Pilseners," Duquesne expanded rapidly through the mid-twentieth century and became one of Pennsylvania's largest regional breweries. However, severe market pressure from national conglomerates led to financial strain, resulting in the facility shuttering in 1972.

For breweriana enthusiasts, steel tab top cans from historic Pennsylvania breweries carry substantial appeal. They document a critical period of packaging evolution, capturing the industry's shift toward tab-opening cans while celebrating legacy regional brands. Collectors particularly appreciate tracking variations in finish—such as enamel versus metallic grounds—across the post-Prohibition Pittsburgh brewing landscape.