Drewrys Extra Dry Beer Flat Top Can

Chicago Drewrys Extra Dry Flat Top

The Drewrys Extra Dry Beer Flat Top Can bearing the Chicago, Illinois mandatory statement is an iconic piece of Midwestern breweriana. While Drewrys Ltd. originated in Canada and maintained its primary American manufacturing presence in South Bend, Indiana, cans produced under the Chicago brewery mandatory are considerably scarcer and prized by collectors.

Mountie Imagery and Brand Heritage

The can graphics prominently feature Drewrys' classic Canadian Mountie illustration set inside a bold shield motif, paying homage to the brand's historic origins. The crisp typography, shield design, and metallic accents established one of the most recognizable commercial label presentations across the Midwest.

The Tavern Pyramid Discovery

A famous piece of breweriana lore is tied directly to surviving examples with the Chicago imprint. In the 1970s, a notable cache of these cans was discovered inside an old Chicago tavern, where they had originally been assembled into an elaborate decorative pyramid display. Because the containers were soldered together to secure the towering installation, many specimens salvaged from that find carry telltale heat and solder marks along their rims and seams, linking them directly to local tavern history.

Manufacturer Variations

Production of these cans was handled by major packaging suppliers of the period, including the Continental Can Company and the American Can Company. Variations exist across different manufacturing runs, featuring slight shifts in manufacturer insignias, metallic finishes, background enamel tones, and mandatory text layout. Due to limited distribution compared to the extensive runs out of Indiana, this Chicago-issued flat top remains a celebrated regional collectible.