Du Bois Budweiser Beer Crowntainer

Du Bois Budweiser Crowntainer

This twelve-ounce Crowntainer represents one of the most historically compelling packages issued by the Du Bois Brewing Company of Du Bois, Pennsylvania. Defined by its enamel background, the can features a vibrant central oval emblem bordered by concentric red and yellow ribbons. At the heart of the design, the "Du Bois" name sits across a red bar beneath a decorative coronet, positioned prominently above "Budweiser" rendered in bold blackletter gothic script. Below the beer designation, the circular Du Bois Brewing Co. seal anchors the composition with hop and grain flourishes. Manufactured by the Crown Cork & Seal Company, the seamless two-piece Crowntainer design with its conical neck provided a durable packaging format for post-Prohibition regional distribution.

Du Bois introduced its Budweiser brand in 1905, drawing immediate resistance from St. Louis brewing titan Anheuser-Busch. Although Anheuser-Busch initiated trademark litigation in 1908, the suit was dismissed without prejudice, enabling Du Bois to market and sell Du Bois Budweiser across Pennsylvania and neighboring regional markets. Anheuser-Busch renewed the legal challenge decades later in 1940, leading to an extensive federal court dispute. The courts ultimately ruled in favor of Du Bois under the doctrine of laches, upholding their right to continue using the name. The brewery marketed the brand successfully until it was finally retired following a corporate acquisition in the early 1970s.

The Du Bois Brewing Company was founded in 1896 by German immigrant Frank Hahne, who selected the Clearfield County site primarily due to the pure water supply sourced from the Anderson Creek watershed. The operation grew into a regional powerhouse and survived Prohibition by producing near-beer and soft drinks before resuming standard brewing operations upon repeal. Du Bois operated independently until 1967, when the business was purchased by the Pittsburgh Brewing Company, with the historic facility eventually shuttering in 1972.

For breweriana collectors, the Du Bois Budweiser Crowntainer occupies an esteemed position. Beyond the classic appeal of mid-century cone-style packaging, the can serves as a tangible artifact of the famous legal contest between an independent Pennsylvania brewer and a national brewing giant.