Fitzgerald's Burgomaster Beer Crowntainer

Burgomaster Beer Crowntainer

The Fitzgerald's Burgomaster Beer Crowntainer was produced for the Fitzgerald Bros. Brewing Co. of Troy, New York. Operating out of their extensive complex along River Street in the Capital District, Fitzgerald Bros. distributed their flagship Burgomaster brand across the region in these distinctive two-piece drawn-steel containers manufactured by Crown Cork & Seal.

Design and Background Finishes

The can's graphic layout emphasizes the traditional Burgomaster nameplate paired with regional brewery identifiers. Across its production run, multiple background finishes were applied at the manufacturing plant. The most widely distributed versions feature a cream or white enamel base, while other notable runs showcase metallic silver coatings or olive drab finishes manufactured for military supply channels.

Text and Regulatory Variations

Collectors track several text-block variations on the reverse and sides of the can. Markings vary according to legal labeling requirements, with some versions bearing the mandatory "Internal Revenue Tax Paid" (IRTP) statement alongside differing arrangements of vertical or horizontal information panels.

Collector Significance

Representing one of upstate New York's historic brewing names, the Fitzgerald's Burgomaster Crowntainer holds an enduring place in regional breweriana collections. While the standard enamel versions represent accessible additions to a shelf, the metallic silver and olive drab variations are considerably harder to obtain and highly prized in the hobby.