Gretz Beer Cone Top Can

History of the Gretz Cone Top Can

Produced by the William Gretz Brewing Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Gretz Beer cone top can represents a notable chapter in Mid-Atlantic brewing history. Located in Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood along Germantown Avenue, the Gretz family operated one of the city's major independent breweries. Following the repeal of Prohibition, Gretz was among the pioneering local establishments that embraced canned packaging to maintain a strong market presence against expanding national competitors.

The can showcases the classic Gretz graphic identity, highlighted by the recognizable Gretz script and stylized "G" trademark emblem. The container incorporates a high-profile cone design with metallic accents on the spout and shoulder.

Among breweriana enthusiasts, several variations of the Gretz cone top are documented. These variations include differences in mandatory side panel text—such as versions bearing the Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) statement versus non-IRTP releases—as well as minor alterations in metallic finishes and layout across production runs.

Gretz promoted its canned beer heavily across the Philadelphia metropolitan area, using high-profile billboard campaigns, newspapers, and storefront promotions to highlight its modern packaging. Today, the Gretz cone top stands as a celebrated artifact of Philadelphia's industrial and brewing heritage.