Barbarossa Beer Cone Top Can

Red Top Barbarossa Cone Top

The Barbarossa Beer cone top can represents one of the premier mid-century releases from the Red Top Brewing Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. Red Top marketed Barbarossa as a premium offering, prominently featuring the trademark slogan, "The Beer of Pleasant Memories" across the face of the container.

Design and Manufacture

Manufactured by the Continental Can Company, the can is recognized for its ornate graphic design, featuring intricate scrollwork, deep red accents, and metallic gold backgrounds. The central motif highlights the Barbarossa name—a historical reference meaning "Red Beard"—which aligned with the brewery's overarching Red Top corporate identity.

Collector Notes and Variations

The can was produced across different production runs, resulting in several notable variations. Known variations include containers bearing the Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) mandatory statement as well as later non-IRTP issues following changes in federal labeling requirements. Collectors also recognize variations in the metallic background finish, such as standard gold versus two-tone gold, alongside subtle differences in spout paint finishes and side panel mandatory text.

Barbarossa stands as a key highlight in mid-20th-century Cincinnati breweriana, appreciated for its bold typography and classic label design.