Old Export Premium Pilsener Beer 12 Oz Zip/Tab Top Can

Old Export Premium Pilsener Can

The Old Export Premium Pilsener Beer 12 oz can represents a significant piece of Western Maryland's regional brewing heritage. Produced by the Cumberland Brewing Company in Cumberland, Maryland, Old Export served for decades as the flagship label for the historic establishment located on North Centre Street.

Brewery Heritage and Regional Significance

Established in 1890, the Cumberland Brewing Company was one of the two dominant brewing institutions that defined Cumberland's industrial boom, competing closely with the nearby Queen City Brewing Company. To distinguish its offerings, Cumberland promoted Old Export with regionally inspired marketing, often highlighting the use of pure mountain water from the Allegheny region. Old Export gained widespread popularity across Maryland, West Virginia, and neighboring areas, becoming a staple for regional workers and local establishments.

In the late 1950s, the Cumberland Brewing Company was acquired by its long-time crosstown rival, Queen City Brewing Company. Production of the Old Export brand continued under the consolidated operations, allowing the label to transition through packaging evolutions from cone tops and flat tops into the pull tab and zip top era.

Can Graphics and Collector Notes

The can graphics feature traditional Old Export lettering and classic pilsener heraldry that reflect mid-century commercial design. Depending on the canning run, variations in mandatory state tax notices, brewery division declarations, and manufacturer seam markings can be found among surviving examples. Because the brand was canned both under the independent Cumberland Brewing Company name and later as a division under Queen City Brewing, collectors seek out different label iterations to document the corporate evolution of the Cumberland facility.

As a prominent surviving artifact from Allegany County's commercial brewing history, the Old Export Premium Pilsener can stands as an authentic testament to mid-Atlantic regional breweriana before large national conglomerates overtook local markets.