Old Dutch Extra Ale Flat Top Can

Old Dutch Extra Ale Flat Top Can

The Old Dutch Extra Ale Flat Top Can was produced by Old Dutch Brewers, Inc., an operation based at East 42nd Street and Glenwood Road in Brooklyn, New York. Active in the post-Prohibition brewing landscape of New York, Old Dutch produced a wide array of ales and lagers for the metropolitan market.

Graphic Design and Visual Presentation

The can embraces traditional Dutch-inspired motifs characteristic of the brewery's brand identity. The main panel features bold typography highlighting the "Extra Ale" designation alongside imagery centered around a classic windmill motif. The color palette incorporates rich enamels and metallic accents that set it apart from the brewery's standard lager lines. The side panel also includes the historical Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) marking required during its period of manufacture.

Design Variations

Collectors of East Coast breweriana recognize known variations in the labeling and manufacturing of this can. Differences across production runs include subtle shifts in text alignment, minor wording adjustments in the mandatory brewery statements, and slight differences in background metallic luster. The side panels also feature opening instruction text consistent with the period's canning standards.

Collectibility and Historical Significance

During its era of operation, Brooklyn hosted a dense network of competing breweries. The ale offerings from Old Dutch were produced in smaller quantities than their flagship lagers, leading to fewer surviving examples over time. Today, the Old Dutch Extra Ale flat top stands as a prized artifact of New York brewing heritage, documenting the industrial history of Brooklyn's Flatbush brewing district.