Old Style Lager Beer Cone Top Can

Old Style Lager Cone Top History

The Old Style Lager cone top can represents a landmark piece of Midwestern brewing heritage produced for the G. Heileman Brewing Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin. When the Continental Can Company introduced its low-profile "Cap Sealed" design to compete against early flat top containers, G. Heileman was among the very first breweries in the United States to adopt the format for its flagship brand.

Originally established in 1858 by Gottlieb Heileman and John Gund as the City Brewery, G. Heileman Brewing Company introduced the Old Style label at the turn of the twentieth century. By the time canned packaging began transforming the beverage industry in the 1930s, Old Style had established a major regional following. Adopting the cone top format allowed the brewery to package beer in metal containers while continuing to use its existing bottling and crown-capping machinery.

The can design prominently displays the traditional Old Style shield emblem, clean typography, and the classic red, white, and blue color palette associated with the brand. The side panels feature the Continental Can Company "Cap Sealed" trademark insignia.

Collectors track multiple variations of the Old Style cone top. These variations differ in textual details, including Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) declarations, alcohol content statements, and variations featuring the phrase "Same As Bottle" along the upper rim. Early production runs also feature structural differences, such as inverted ribbing on the cone shoulder and concave versus flat bottom construction. As one of Wisconsin's earliest canned beer issues, the container holds an important place in American breweriana.