Rams Head Ale Flat Top Can

Rams Head Ale Flat Top Can

Produced by the Adam Scheidt Brewing Company of Norristown, Pennsylvania, the Rams Head Ale flat top can represents one of the brewery's most recognizable product lines. Originally introduced to serve the Mid-Atlantic and New England ale markets, the brand grew into a staple across the East Coast, finding notable popularity in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.

Background and Design

Adam Scheidt marketed Rams Head Ale alongside other flagship labels like Valley Forge Beer and Prior Beer, often promoting it under the tagline "The Aristocrat of Ales". The can face prominently displays a detailed ram's head illustration set within a decorative crest or shield, accompanied by classic block lettering and metallic background accents. Early manufacturing runs also incorporated the trademarked American Can Company "Keglined" panel along the seam.

Collector Variations

Rams Head Ale cans were produced across multiple packaging generations, creating several variations recognized by collectors:

• Instructional vs. Non-Instructional: Early issues feature side-panel opening instruction panels, while postwar production moved toward streamlined, modern branding.
• Can Manufacturers: Production was split across multiple container manufacturers over the brand's lifespan, including American Can Company, Continental Can Company, and Crown Cork & Seal. These variations exhibit distinct maker marks, seam constructions, and patent texts.
• Mandatory Text and Distributor Markings: Noticeable differences appear across variations in tax notices, mandatory brewery declarations, and distributor credits (such as New York distributor text), which were updated or removed as distribution changed and following the brewery's acquisition by C. Schmidt & Sons.