Storz Gold Crest Beer Flat Top Can

1948 Storz Gold Crest IRTP Flat Top

The Storz Gold Crest Beer flat top can represents a classic post-World War II container produced by the Storz Brewing Company of Omaha, Nebraska. Bearing a copyright date of 1948, this 12-ounce flat top features the mandatory "Internal Revenue Tax Paid" (IRTP) statement along its lower gold band, placing its manufacture firmly in the late 1940s before federal tax-paid labeling requirements were repealed in 1950. Prominently displayed across the upper portion is the slogan "Over 70 Years of Traditional Quality," an advertising hallmark celebrating the enterprise's longevity. The face of the can features bold diagonal red swooshes against a cream backdrop, accented by the distinctive Storz family heraldic crest.

Gold Crest served as one of the brewery's staple products, positioned to emphasize traditional craftsmanship and high standards. In print and regional radio promotions throughout the Great Plains, Storz highlighted its regional heritage and dependable brewing methods, ensuring Gold Crest was a familiar sight in neighborhood taverns and package stores alongside its sibling flagship labels.

The Storz Brewing Company traced its lineage back to the 1860s in North Omaha, originally established as the Saratoga Brewery before becoming the Columbia Brewery. German immigrant Gottlieb Storz joined as brewmaster in 1876, later acquiring the brewery and renaming it after himself in the 1880s. The firm emerged as one of Omaha's legendary "Big Four" breweries, standing alongside Krug, Metz, and Willow Springs. After weathering Prohibition through the production of ice and non-alcoholic beverages, Storz modernized its facilities and expanded distribution significantly. By the mid-twentieth century, Storz was producing a major portion of the beer sold across Nebraska. Intensifying market pressure from national brewing giants during the 1960s led to the sale of the company to Grain Belt in 1967, and the Omaha plant ultimately closed in 1972.

For breweriana enthusiasts, this Gold Crest can is an enduring artifact of Nebraska's rich industrial brewing heritage. Postwar flat tops from prominent regional independent brewers remain highly valued for their eye-catching mid-century typography and strong regional appeal.