Fitzgerald's Burgomaster Beer Crowntainer

Burgomaster Beer Crowntainer

Produced by the Fitzgerald Bros. Brewing Company of Troy, New York, the Fitzgerald's Burgomaster Beer crowntainer represents a notable piece of breweriana from one of Upstate New York's historic regional brewing operations. Established in the mid-nineteenth century by brothers Michael and John Fitzgerald, the brewery grew to become an enduring fixture in the Hudson Valley brewing landscape.

The standard production release features a cream-colored enamel finish with bold lettering and traditional brand iconography. Beyond this standard civilian issue, several variations are documented. During World War II, Fitzgerald Bros. produced an olive drab version featuring the "Withdrawn Free of Internal Revenue Tax for Exportation" statement designated for military overseas distribution. Other variations showcase metallic silver and dull gray backgrounds rather than the customary enamel base.

Manufacturing and legal markings on the reverse also reveal production shifts over time. Surviving examples carry either the mandatory "Internal Revenue Tax Paid" (IRTP) text or later non-IRTP panels. Differences can also be observed in the Crown Cork & Seal manufacturer patent stamping, which appears in both vertical and horizontal box configurations as well as patent pending versus fully registered patent text.