Old Topper Ale Crowntainer

Rochester's Old Topper Ale Can

The Old Topper Ale Crowntainer is a celebrated regional piece produced by the Rochester Brewing Company of Rochester, New York. Manufactured by the Crown Cork & Seal Company, the can features the brewery's signature mascot—a distinguished gentleman dressed in formal attire with a top hat and monocle—framed by decorative scrollwork and mid-century typography.

Rochester Brewing Company established Old Topper as its flagship label, distributing it throughout Upstate New York and neighboring regional markets. The brand remained a cornerstone of the local market until the company later merged with the Standard Brewing Company to form the Standard-Rochester Brewing Company.

For breweriana collectors, Old Topper Ale is recognized for known design variations that emerged across different manufacturing runs. Differences include the presence of the "Internal Revenue Tax Paid" (IRTP) statement on earlier runs compared to non-IRTP side panels on later releases. Other versions incorporate the "Snappy Ale" moniker, while some omit the phrase in favor of standard ale branding. Additionally, background finishes vary, ranging from standard darker metallic tones to an exceptionally scarce white-bodied variation that drew significant attention when a specimen crossed the block from the Bob McCoy collection.

Today, the Old Topper Ale Crowntainer remains a premier centerpiece for collectors focused on New York brewing heritage and Crown Cork & Seal productions.