Drewrys Old Stock Ale Flat Top Can

Drewrys Old Stock Ale Flat Top Can

This flat top container showcases Drewrys Old Stock Ale, brewed and packaged by Drewrys Limited U.S.A. Inc. in South Bend, Indiana. The front panel is set against a deep green backdrop featuring a large gold oval framed in white. Dominating the upper center is the brand's distinguished mascot: a Canadian Mountie in a red coat standing beside his horse. Arched above the illustration is the bold black Drewrys name, underlined by a white banner declaring "A Famous Name Since 1877." Below the banner, "Old Stock" appears in decorative red gothic lettering over the bold black word "ALE." The top margin notes the 12 fluid ounce volume, while the lower rim bears the South Bend brewery designation.

Drewrys traced its roots to 1877, when Edward Lancaster Drewry established the original brewery in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Following the repeal of Prohibition, the brand expanded across the border into the United States, capitalizing on its Canadian heritage. The Mountie illustration served as the brand's primary visual identity across print campaigns, point-of-sale displays, and packaging. Drewrys Old Stock Ale was positioned as a rich, traditional counterpart to the brewery's standard pilsners and lagers, maintaining a strong following throughout the Great Lakes region before changing consumer tastes shifted demand toward lighter beers.

The American branch of the company established its brewing operations in South Bend, Indiana, in 1936 by purchasing the historic Muessel Brewing Company plant. Drewrys Limited U.S.A. experienced rapid growth in the postwar era, expanding distribution across several states and acquiring major regional competitors, including Chicago's Atlas Brewing Company and Detroit's Pfeiffer Brewing Company. By the late 1960s, intense consolidation in the American brewing industry pressured the business, culminating in Drewrys being acquired by the G. Heileman Brewing Company in 1972, which ultimately led to the closure of the South Bend facility.

Among breweriana collectors, mid-century flat tops from established regional breweries hold significant appeal. Drewrys cans from this era are particularly favored for their vibrant color schemes and classic North West Mounted Police imagery, making them emblematic examples of postwar Indiana brewing heritage.