Old Topper Lager Beer Crowntainer

Old Topper Lager Beer Crowntainer

The Old Topper Lager Beer Crowntainer is a mid-twentieth-century collectible issued by the Rochester Brewing Company of Rochester, New York. Following the repeal of Prohibition, Rochester Brewing Company utilized the Old Topper moniker across its flagship portfolio, with the lager serving as the primary companion to its widely distributed ale.

Design and Manufacturer Characteristics

Manufactured by the Crown Cork & Seal Company, the can showcases the signature Old Topper branding centered around a classic top-hat motif and bold typography. The color scheme incorporates dark background tones contrasted with sharp lettering that clearly identifies the "Old Topper Lager Beer" label.

Earlier manufacturing runs of this can feature the "Internal Revenue Tax Paid" (IRTP) statement, reflecting federal packaging requirements of the era.

Label Variations and Historical Context

Collectors document multiple variations of this specific crowntainer. These differences appear in the phrasing of regulatory statements, minor metallic border detailing, and variations in the mandatory brewery text on the side panels. Because the Rochester Brewing Company eventually consolidated operations in the 1950s, specimens displaying the original standalone Rochester Brewing Company imprint remain significant artifacts of upstate New York's regional brewing heritage.