Bay State Beer Flat Top Can

Bay State Beer Flat Top Overview

Produced by the Commonwealth Brewing Corporation of Springfield, Massachusetts, the Bay State Beer flat top can holds a notable place in East Coast breweriana history. Following the repeal of Prohibition, Commonwealth Brewing established operations on Chestnut Street and introduced canned offerings to expand its regional reach across New England.

This container was manufactured by the National Can Company, featuring their proprietary "Double-lined" can construction. Developed to compete directly with American Can Company's Keglined format, National Can's early containers represent a key technological milestone in the early evolution of beer canning.

Visually, the can features bold graphic framing, striking typography, and opening instructions displayed on the side panels. The panels also incorporate period regulatory text, including Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) mandatory phrasing and state-specific licensing designations such as Massachusetts Permit M-11.

Among collectors, several variations of the label are documented. These variants differ primarily in licensing text, state permit numbers, and minor side panel wording across production runs. Because Commonwealth Brewing had relatively limited canning runs, this can remains a prized find among East Coast breweriana enthusiasts.