06/16/2026
Check out these cool treasures we found here in the bar yesterday! 🍺
These vintage Schlitz beer cans are in remarkable condition. The can on the left appears to date from the early to mid-1960s—the old church key opener on top is a dead giveaway—while the can on the right appears to be from the mid-1970s.
Founded in Milwaukee in 1849, Schlitz Brewing Company grew into one of the most successful breweries in American history. By the early 1900s, Schlitz had become one of the largest beer producers in the United States and, for periods during the mid-20th century, claimed the title of the nation’s largest brewer. Known as “The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous,” Schlitz was a household name from coast to coast and helped shape America’s brewing industry for generations.
A year ago, a gentleman sold us the vintage Schlitz promotional light, which once hung in the bar of Matías Chacón in El Guache. Chacón was a distinguished Rio Arriba County State Senator who was known to be a personal friend and ally of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. In a tragic turn of events, Senator Chacón collapsed on the floor of the New Mexico State Senate during a legislative session and later passed away.
It’s fascinating how a couple of old beer cans can open a window into both American brewing history and the rich history of Northern New Mexico. We look forward to preserving and sharing these pieces of the past here at the Tropicana for years to come.
