Old Crown Premium Quality Ale Flat Top Can

Centlivre's Old Crown Ale Flat Top

The Old Crown Premium Quality Ale Flat Top Can is a mid-century breweriana collectible produced for the Centlivre Brewing Corporation of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Centlivre, established by French immigrant Charles Louis Centlivre, introduced the Old Crown brand to represent its premier product lineup, which became the brewery's definitive trademark.

Background and Design

Following the end of Prohibition, Centlivre emerged as an early regional innovator in canned packaging through partnerships with the American Can Company. The Old Crown line quickly became a recognizable staple throughout Indiana and the greater Midwest.

The can face showcases traditional Old Crown iconography, characterized by a prominent crown emblem, banner detailing, and bold lettering. Cans from this series prominently featured the brewery's notable "Lazy-Aged" slogan alongside the "Premium Quality" designation.

Label Variations

For collectors, this can design exhibits notable differences across production runs. Variations include subtle changes in background metallic paint tones, minor shifts in mandatory brewery text, and the presence of Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) markings compared to non-IRTP releases. Cans bearing the original "Centlivre Brewing Corp." mandatory statement remain an important highlight of Fort Wayne brewing history.