Drewrys Extra Dry Beer Flat Top Can

Drewrys Extra Dry from South Bend

The Drewrys Extra Dry Beer flat top can, produced by Drewrys Ltd. U.S.A., Inc. in South Bend, Indiana, stands as an iconic centerpiece of mid-century Midwestern breweriana. Drewrys established its major American presence after acquiring the historic Muessel Brewing facility in South Bend, quickly growing into one of the region's largest independent brewing operations.

Iconic Canadian Mountie Imagery

A defining feature of the Drewrys Extra Dry can is its visual branding, which paid homage to the company's Canadian heritage. The label prominently features a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer on horseback alongside the bold, ornate Gothic-style "D" crest and vibrant metallic colors. This striking graphic identity made Drewrys cans instantly recognizable on retail shelves across Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and neighboring markets.

Graphic Themes and Variations

Drewrys was an early pioneer in multi-design can marketing. Instead of maintaining a static reverse panel, the brewery released flat tops featuring different interactive themes. These included sports silhouette series, astrological horoscope designs, and character analyses based on facial features. Several variations exist across these releases, leading collectors to search for and assemble matching runs of the themed reverse panels.

Manufacturing and Plant Markings

The cans were manufactured by major container companies, including the American Can Company and National Can Company. Can historians frequently look for the tiny manufacturing marks near the seam; cans filled at the South Bend facility commonly bear an "S" stamp to differentiate them from cans filled at other regional contract plants.

Although Drewrys eventually merged into Associated Brewing Company as the regional brewing industry consolidated, the South Bend Extra Dry flat top remains an enduring and sought-after piece of American brewing history.