Mule Head Stock, Wehle Ale Flat Top Can

Mule Head Stock Ale History

The Mule Head Stock Ale can was packaged for The Wehle Brewing Company of West Haven, Connecticut. Operating on Campbell Avenue following the repeal of Prohibition until its closure during World War II, Wehle established a strong regional presence across New England with a diverse lineup of beers and ales.

Among breweriana collectors, the Mule Head brand stands out as one of the premier animal-themed packaging designs from the early canning era. The centerpiece of the can is a detailed illustration of a mule's head framed within a circular medallion, highlighted by bold, classic typography and prominent Wehle branding. Manufactured using American Can Company tooling, the can includes the mandatory Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) statement alongside side-panel opening instructions.

Variations of this can exist in the collecting community, with differences centered on background coloration—such as metallic silver and white finishes—as well as minor shifts in mandatory text placement and instructional panel formatting. Due to the brewery's relatively short operational period after Prohibition, surviving cans from this West Haven maker are coveted centerpieces for regional collections.