India Cerveza Flat Top Can

India Cerveza Flat Top History

The India Cerveza flat top can, filled by the Jacob Hornung Brewing Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, holds a distinguished place in breweriana collecting. Produced during the World War II era, this can carries the notable "Withdrawn Free of Internal Revenue Tax" statement, signifying that it was prepared specifically for overseas shipment to armed forces or offshore destinations.

Jacob Hornung’s bottling and canning of India Cerveza represents one of the earliest examples of a mainland American regional brewery packaging beer branded specifically in Spanish for Hispanic markets. While the India brand later established deep roots in Puerto Rico, early canned issues were contract-brewed and canned stateside at Hornung's Philadelphia plant.

The label showcases distinctive bold typography and traditional mid-century design elements. Among collectors, known variations exist with subtle differences in mandatory layout text and tax-exemption markings. Because wartime tax-exempt cans were shipped offshore and subjected to military logistical distribution, surviving specimens from Hornung are widely regarded as prized treasures from the era.