Drewrys Extra Dry Beer Flat Top Can

Drewrys Chicago Flat Top Can

The Drewrys Extra Dry Beer flat top can representing the Chicago, Illinois production facility holds a distinguished place in breweriana collecting. Although Drewrys Ltd. U.S.A. maintained its primary operations in South Bend, Indiana, the company also operated a brewing and packaging presence in Chicago. While the Indiana-marked cans were distributed widely, examples bearing the Chicago mandatory statement are considerably scarcer and sought after by specialists in Midwestern beer memorabilia.

Graphic Design and Motif

The design of the can showcases the signature Drewrys Canadian Mountie emblem, paying homage to the company's Canadian roots. Framed by the brand's bold shield and heraldic imagery, the Mountie figure stands in full regalia against vibrant label backgrounds. Drewrys utilized multiple packaging suppliers, such as Continental Can Company and National Can Company, leading to distinct variations in lithography, metallic sheen, and border detailing across production runs.

The Chicago Tavern Cache

A famous chapter in collector lore involves the discovery of a cache of Chicago-labeled Drewrys cans in the 1970s. The cans had originally been soldered together to form a large, elaborate display pyramid inside a Chicago tavern. When the installation was dismantled decades later to recover individual cans for collectors, the find introduced a notable supply of Chicago-marked cans into the hobby, many retaining distinct solder marks that serve as physical evidence of their historic barroom display.

Promotional Sets

During this era, Drewrys was a pioneer in decorative multi-can sets, releasing series featuring athletic silhouettes, astrological signs, and character analysis profiles. While these themed sets were distributed widely, surviving specimens with the Chicago brewery designation are notably difficult to assemble into complete sets compared to the Indiana issues.