Fitzgerald Burgomaster Beer Flat Top Can

Troy's Classic Burgomaster Can

The Fitzgerald Burgomaster Beer flat top can represents a storied chapter in upstate New York brewing history, originating from the Fitzgerald Bros. Brewing Company in Troy, New York. Established in the mid-nineteenth century by Edmund Fitzgerald and his brothers, the brewery grew into one of the Capital District's defining regional beverage producers.

Among the brewery's portfolio—which also featured their well-known Garryowen Ale—Burgomaster Beer served as a prominent flagship label. The name drew inspiration from the traditional civic title for a town mayor or chief magistrate, evoking a sense of prestige and civic heritage.

The can's face features the distinctive Burgomaster script, bold heraldic-style graphics, and the official Troy, New York brewery mandatory markings. Known variations exist among surviving examples, reflecting subtle changes in background finish, metallic sheen, and canning run text layouts.

After long serving the Hudson Valley and Capital Region, Fitzgerald Bros. ultimately ceased brewing operations in Troy to transition into soft drink and beverage distribution. As a result, authentic Burgomaster flat top cans remain celebrated artifacts among collectors of mid-century New York breweriana.