Old Crown Premium Quality Ale 12 Oz Zip Top Can

Fort Wayne's Old Crown Ale Can

Hailing from Fort Wayne, Indiana, this can represents one of the flagship offerings from the Old Crown Brewing Corporation, historically known as the Centlivre Brewing Company. Founded in 1862 by French immigrant Charles L. Centlivre, the brewery stood as a cornerstone of Indiana brewing history for over a century.

The Old Crown brand was introduced in the late 1930s under brewmaster Frank Kloer and rapidly expanded its reach, at one point becoming the top-selling ale throughout the state of Indiana. While earlier packaging frequently emphasized the brewery's "Lazy Aged" tagline, later production runs highlighted the "Premium Quality" designation alongside the company's signature royal crown imagery and bold heraldic crest.

Cans carrying the Old Crown Brewing Corporation corporate name reflect the period after the company officially adopted the moniker of its most popular brand. The can's graphics showcase a vibrant combination of metallic tones, bold script, and mid-century design cues tailored to stand out on regional retail shelves.

For breweriana enthusiasts focused on Indiana and Midwestern regional brewing history, this can serves as an enduring artifact from the historic facility along Spy Run Avenue. Known variations of the can exist among collectors, exhibiting differences in manufacturer markings—such as American Can Company "Keglined" oval logos—as well as minor shifts in side-panel mandatory text and coloring.