Old Shay De Luxe Beer Crowntainer

Fort Pitt Old Shay Crowntainer

The Old Shay De Luxe Beer Crowntainer is a historic mid-century package produced for the Fort Pitt Brewing Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As one of Western Pennsylvania's premier regional brewing powerhouses during the mid-20th century, Fort Pitt expanded its portfolio by acquiring the Victor Brewing Company facility in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, carrying forward the popular Old Shay brand name and integrating it into its canned lineup.

Graphic Design and Imagery

The can prominently showcases the traditional "Old Shay" motif, centered on an illustration of a vintage horse-drawn chaise carriage (colloquially known as a "shay"). The artwork features passengers riding in the carriage, evoking classic Americana and heritage brewing traditions. The bold "Old Shay" script and "De Luxe Beer" typography stand out alongside the rich color palette and metallic accents typical of Crown Cork & Seal drawn-steel fabrication.

Variations and Collector Significance

Fort Pitt distributed Old Shay across an extensive regional market that spanned Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland. Because the brand was packaged across different operational periods and facilities, collectors note several distinct variations. These differences include variations in brewery location text designating either Pittsburgh or the Jeannette plant, the presence or absence of the Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) statement, differing alcohol content declarations for specific state markets, and minor shifts in manufacturer text layouts.

The Old Shay De Luxe can stands out as an essential representation of Pittsburgh's storied brewing heritage and remains a cornerstone piece for regional breweriana collections.