Heileman's Old Style Lager Beer Cone Top Can

Heileman's Classic Cone Top Lager

Produced by the G. Heileman Brewing Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin, the Heileman's Old Style Lager cone top can holds a prominent place in American breweriana history. G. Heileman was among the earliest adopters of Continental Can Company's low-profile cone top format when canned beer first entered commercial distribution, marking a major milestone in metal packaging history.

Design and Branding

The can showcases the classic Old Style visual branding, emphasizing the heritage of G. Heileman's flagship label. The front features the signature script lettering set against bold Midwestern brewing heraldry and ornate crest motifs. Manufactured by Continental Can Company, early iterations were produced with low-profile cone tops and ribbed collars. The clean graphic presentation—utilizing the brand's iconic red, white, and blue color palette set against metallic backgrounds—was created to stand out on store shelves while retaining the visual familiarity of their bottled product line.

Packaging Variations

Collectors track several variations of the Heileman's Old Style Lager cone top. Structural differences exist between flat-bottom and concave-bottom manufacturing designs, as well as slight variations in neck height and profile. Fine print and side-panel variations are also prominent throughout its run, including different Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) text placements and regulatory alcohol statements. Some examples feature early promotional slogans, such as "Same As Bottle" stamped beneath the upper rim, while other variations show differences in mandatory brewery copyright notices, patent numbers, and canning facility text.

Breweriana Significance

Founded in 1858 by Gottlieb Heileman and John Gund, the G. Heileman Brewing Company grew into one of the Upper Midwest's premier regional powers, driven primarily by Old Style. When cone top technology emerged, it allowed the brewery to utilize its existing bottling machinery without costly overhauls to factory equipment. Today, this can remains a cornerstone piece for regional Midwest collections and pre-war cone top enthusiasts.