English Lad Beer Cone Top Can

English Lad Cone Top History

The English Lad Beer quart cone top stands as one of the most celebrated and visually striking graphic cans from Chicago brewing history. Marketed under the Westminster Brewing Company name, this can holds a prominent place in the realm of breweriana.

The Racetrack Connection

The can's artwork pays tribute to a thoroughbred named English Lad. In the early 1900s, the racehorse became a sensation on Midwest tracks, capturing victories in major events such as the Chicago Derby and the Hyde Park Stakes at Chicago's historic Washington Park. The front of the can showcases a jockey in full stride atop the horse framed within a horseshoe motif, capturing the horse's notable white facial marking.

The Chicago Brewery Ties

Westminster Brewing operated in close connection with Chicago's Manhattan Brewing Company. Manhattan Brewing was famously associated with organized crime syndicates during Prohibition, including ties to Al Capone's illicit brewing network. Following the repeal of Prohibition, legitimate operations took over production, though the colorful connection to Chicago's gangland past remains a fascinating part of the brand's lore.

Label Variations

Collectors recognize variations of the English Lad cone top. These differences typically involve side panel text changes, including the presence or absence of alcohol percentage statements and Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) notations, as well as packaging tied to related Chicago brewing entities such as Prima. Across all variations, the English Lad cone top remains a prized and iconic centerpiece among beer can collectors.