Old Ranger Beer 12 Oz Zip/Tab Top Can

Old Ranger Beer Tab Top Can

The Old Ranger Beer 12-ounce tab top can represents a notable chapter in mid-century American regional brewing history. Originally tied to the Hornell Brewing Company in upstate New York, the Old Ranger label expanded its presence following corporate associations with Metropolis Brewery in Trenton, New Jersey.

Brewery History and Production Context

Hornell was a long-standing regional name in the Northeast, but post-war brewery consolidation led to production shifts. Metropolis Brewery in Trenton, New Jersey—well-known for producing Champale as well as managing multiple regional house labels—handled production and canning under the Hornell name. Consequently, cans from this era feature the Trenton, New Jersey mandatory on the label.

Graphic Design and Collector Interest

The face of the can features bold Old Ranger branding, highlighted by classic mid-century typography and clean graphic banners. Some promotional material and cans associated with the brand carried the memorable slogan "It's A Hit!"

For breweriana collectors, cans bearing the Trenton mandatory are of particular interest due to the brewery's shifting corporate lineage. Variations of the label exist across different canning runs, exhibiting slight differences in mandatory text, brewery credits, and legal statements.