Old Crown Premium Quality Ale Flat Top Can

Centlivre's Old Crown Ale Can

The Old Crown Premium Quality Ale flat top can represents a defining era for the Centlivre Brewing Corporation of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Founded in 1862 by French immigrant Charles L. Centlivre, the brewery grew into one of northern Indiana's most prominent regional brewing institutions. Following the repeal of Prohibition, Centlivre established itself as an early packaging innovator in the region, collaborating with the American Can Company to introduce 'Keglined' cans to the local market.

The Old Crown line served as the brewery’s premier label, with the ale can displaying the brand's distinguished crown emblem and bold typography against lustrous metallic backgrounds. Over the course of its manufacturing history, design variations were produced across different canning runs, including versions featuring instructional side panels and subtle differences in background color ranging from metallic silver to pale blue.

Centlivre operated as an independent, family-rooted establishment for over a century before shifting industry dynamics prompted ownership changes and the eventual closure of the Fort Wayne facility. Today, this flat top can remains a prized artifact of Indiana's industrial brewing heritage and mid-century graphic design.