Fitzgerald's Burgomaster Beer Crowntainer

The Burgomaster Crowntainer

Produced by the Fitzgerald Bros. Brewing Company in Troy, New York, this can represents a celebrated chapter in Hudson Valley brewing history. Fitzgerald Bros. operated a prominent brewing complex along River Street, establishing itself as a major regional operation in Upstate New York. The Burgomaster brand name paid homage to traditional civic leadership titles rooted in the region's historic Dutch heritage.

The standard civilian design showcases a smooth cream enamel background accented by bold typography and brand insignia. Beyond the familiar cream base, several notable variations exist that reflect changes in material availability and historical context. During World War II, Fitzgerald Bros. packaged beer in olive drab cans bearing the statement "Withdrawn Free of Internal Revenue Tax for Exportation" for deployment to armed service members overseas. Additional variations feature metallic silver or dull gray finishes instead of the traditional enamel coating.

Production distinctions are also evident across the mandatory text panels and manufacturer stamps on the reverse. Cans can be found with either the "Internal Revenue Tax Paid" (IRTP) declaration or later non-IRTP text. Furthermore, differences exist in the Crown Cork & Seal manufacturing markings, which display variations in vertical and horizontal boxed configurations alongside shifts between patent-pending text and registered patent stamps.