Aone (lancer's) Ale Flat Top Can

Phoenix's Iconic Lancer's Ale Can

Produced by the Arizona Brewing Company in Phoenix, Arizona, the Aone (Lancer's) Ale flat top represents a notable chapter in Southwestern brewing heritage. Following the repeal of Prohibition, Arizona Brewing Company emerged as the state's dominant commercial brewing operation. While the company was primarily renowned across the desert Southwest for its widely distributed lagers, the specialized ale offerings bearing the Lancer's moniker remain prized artifacts among regional breweriana collectors.

The "Lancer's" label pays homage to brewery leadership—specifically company executive J. F. Lanser, who directed the brewery during an era of significant post-war modernization and expansion. Under Lanser's guidance, the brewery ran high-profile advertising campaigns across the Southwest, including promotions with celebrated Western artist Lon Megargee and sponsorships of regional sporting clubs.

The label art incorporates bold typography and the iconic eagle motif strongly associated with Phoenix-brewed A-1 products. This eagle emblem famously became the subject of a trademark dispute with Anheuser-Busch; trademark authorities eventually ruled in favor of Arizona Brewing Company, allowing the Phoenix plant to continue featuring the bird on its containers.

For collectors of Western breweriana, this can is particularly notable because ale was produced in far smaller distribution volumes than standard pilsners, making surviving examples much less common in historical circulation. Known variations exist among manufactured runs, identifiable by subtle shifts in side-panel text, canning manufacturing marks, and mandatory statutory notices.