A blow molded plastic container includes a main body portion having an upper surface and a finish portion that extends from the upper surface. A reinforcing strut is provided on the upper surface of the main body portion adjacent to the finish portion for providing increased structural rigidity and top load strength to the container. The reinforcing strut may be fabricated in a manner that promotes drainage of fluid from the container, such as by defining a downwardly sloping inner channel that leads to the finish portion when the container is inverted.