Narragansett Select Stock Lager Beer Flat Top Can

Narragansett Select Stock Flat Top

The Narragansett Select Stock Lager Beer can is an iconic piece of New England breweriana, originating from the Narragansett Brewing Company in Cranston, Rhode Island. During the mid-twentieth century, Narragansett stood as the dominant brewing force across the northeastern United States under the leadership of the Haffenreffer brewing family.

Graphic Design and Visual Elements

The label artwork for Select Stock Lager features the brewery's traditional heraldic branding. Central to the composition is the prominent shield emblem, framed by detailed illustrations of barley and hop vines. Classic typography highlights the "Select Stock" moniker alongside Narragansett’s signature corporate philosophy: "Made on Honor, Sold on Merit". The side panels carry mandatory brewery identification crediting the Cranston, Rhode Island facilities.

Production Variations

Collectors recognize variations of this container from its historical manufacturing runs. Variations exist distinguishing earlier pressings that incorporate the mandatory "Internal Revenue Tax Paid" (IRTP) statement from later versions issued after federal tax wording regulations changed. Minor variations in can manufacturing marks—principally from the American Can Company—as well as subtle shifts in metallic borders and text formatting appear across separate production batches.

Collectibility and Regional Significance

As one of the core packaging designs distributed from the historic Cranston facility, the Select Stock can represents Narragansett during an era of tremendous regional popularity. Before the company's acquisition by Falstaff and its famous tie-ins with regional sports broadcasting, cans bearing the Select Stock label solidified the brand as a cornerstone of Rhode Island manufacturing history and mid-century breweriana collecting.