Old Bohemian Brand Pale Beer Cone Top Can

Old Bohemian Pale Beer Cone Top

The Old Bohemian Brand Pale Beer Cone Top Can is a prized collector's item originating from The National Brewing Company in Baltimore, Maryland. While National Brewing is widely celebrated for its flagship National Bohemian brand and mascot Mr. Boh, the brewery also marketed this distinct secondary label as part of its regional lineup.

Background and Heritage

During its peak decades in Baltimore's historic "Lager Brewery Hill" district, The National Brewing Company operated out of its landmark facility at O'Donnell and Conkling streets. The brewery maintained a diverse packaging portfolio, releasing specialty offerings alongside its core products. The Old Bohemian brand offered a traditional graphic presentation featuring bold typography and classic Mid-Atlantic heraldic styling rather than the cartoon mascot featured on flagship cans.

Rarity and Collector Discovery

Among breweriana enthusiasts, the Old Bohemian cone top is recognized as one of the most elusive containers ever issued by the Baltimore brewery. For decades, the can went largely undocumented in early collector guides and was virtually unknown until landmark private collection discoveries in the Midwest brought authentic examples to light. These discoveries confirmed the can's legitimate commercial distribution and established its reputation as a premier prize among East Coast cone top collectors.

Known Variations

Collectors recognize different variations of the Old Bohemian cone top. Packaging runs reflect differences in profile heights—including high-profile and low-profile can formats—as well as subtle variations in mandatory tax statements (such as Internal Revenue Tax Paid markings) and manufacturer plant stamps from the Continental Can Company.

Today, the Old Bohemian Brand Pale Beer cone top stands as a fascinating artifact of Maryland's industrial brewing heritage and remains one of the most desirable regional cone tops in the hobby.