Old German Brand Beer Cone Top Can

Philipsburg Old German Cone Top

The Old German Brand Beer cone top represents one of the most celebrated and elusive treasures of Pennsylvania brewing history. Issued by the Philipsburg Brewing Company of Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, this container holds legendary status among breweriana enthusiasts due to its extraordinary scarcity.

Historical Context & Rarity

While several regional brewing companies throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Ohio packaged beer under the Old German label, the cans hailing from the Philipsburg plant are regarded as some of the most difficult to acquire. The brewery operated in Centre County, catering primarily to local mining communities and surrounding central Pennsylvania markets before ceasing operations. Because of its limited distribution and small production scale, very few examples were preserved, making any authentic discovery an event within the collecting community.

Design and Markings

The graphic layout features the prominent 'Old German Brand' insignia, set against a classic palette that emphasized traditional brewing heritage. It carries the mandatory Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) statement, placing its issuance during the federal taxation requirement era. Collectors distinguish the Philipsburg issue from other regional Old German cans by checking the mandatory brewery text, which explicitly identifies Philipsburg as the origin.

Collecting Significance

Within advanced Pennsylvania can collections and specialized spout-top categories, finding a Philipsburg Old German is often considered a crowning achievement. Field excavations and dumping discoveries across old Pennsylvania dumping grounds have occasionally unearthed specimens, generating significant excitement in collector circles and forums. Its scarcity compared to similar Old German releases from larger operations—such as Queen City Brewing or Robert H. Graupner—has cemented its place as a premier prize of eastern American breweriana.