Old Reading Premium Quality Beer Cone Top Can

Old Reading Beer Cone Top Can

The Old Reading Premium Quality Beer cone top can originates from the historic Old Reading Brewery in Reading, Pennsylvania, a regional brewing establishment established in 1886. Operating out of its facility at Ninth and Laurel Streets, the brewery built a loyal following throughout eastern Pennsylvania and the surrounding mid-Atlantic market.

When regional brewers embraced metal packaging following the repeal of Prohibition, Old Reading adopted cone top formats to utilize existing bottling line infrastructure. The can's aesthetic features the brewery's traditional script typography, heraldic accents, and classic styling cues strongly tied to eastern Pennsylvania brewing history.

Variations and Manufacturing Details

Manufactured in standard twelve-ounce sizing, these cans appeared across structural body styles, including J-spout designs by Crown Cork & Seal as well as low-profile can formats.

Collector research documents several graphic and text variations across production runs. Notable differences among known examples include:

• Shifting mandatory legal text, distinguishing early "Internal Revenue Tax Paid" (IRTP) releases from later post-tax designations.
• Subtle variations in background color tones, banner accents, and border trim.
• Varying manufacturer marks and patent notices along the side seams corresponding to different container suppliers.

Historical Significance

The Old Reading Brewery persevered through Prohibition and mid-century competitive pressures before independent operations ceased in the 1970s. Today, cans bearing the Old Reading name are celebrated centerpieces of mid-Atlantic breweriana, illustrating mid-century regional brewing heritage in Berks County.