Mug Ale Cone Top Can

Akron's Rare Mug Ale Cone Top

The Mug Ale cone top can produced by the Burkhardt Brewing Company of Akron, Ohio, stands as one of the most sought-after and elusive containers from the historic Buckeye State brewer. While Burkhardt distributed several canned offerings, including standard lagers and export styles, the Mug Ale cone top holds a premier place among breweriana enthusiasts as the scarcest cone top design associated with the brewery.

Manufactured by the Continental Can Company, this high-profile container features prominent graphic artwork highlighted by an overflowing mug of ale. The branding reflects the rich legacy of Burkhardt Brewing, an institution firmly rooted in Akron's historic "Goosetown" neighborhood. The brewery holds notable historical significance as one of the early American brewing operations successfully managed and expanded by a female proprietor, Margaretha Burkhardt.

For collectors, the Mug Ale can represents a high-profile prize due to its low survival rate in comparison to Burkhardt's widely distributed lager cans. Subtle variations in manufacturer markings and mandatory legal text exist across production runs, reflecting slight manufacturing transitions over the container's history. Extant examples appear infrequently on the auction block, consistently making the can a centerpiece for Ohio breweriana specialists.