Rams Head (scheidt's) Ale Flat Top Can

Scheidt's Rams Head Ale Flat Top

Produced by the Adam Scheidt Brewing Company in Norristown, Pennsylvania, the Rams Head Ale flat top can represents one of the brewery's most recognizable mid-Atlantic offerings. Adam Scheidt, which established a strong regional following with brands such as Valley Forge and Prior, developed Rams Head Ale to capture demand across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and New England. Heavily marketed under the slogan "The Aristocrat of Ales," the brand featured a distinctive illustrated ram centerpiece on its label.

For breweriana collectors, this can presents several variations reflecting changes in manufacturing and labeling regulations over time. Adam Scheidt sourced cans from multiple can manufacturers, including the American Can Company, Continental Can Company, and Crown Cork and Seal. Early iterations of the can include opening instructional panels and Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) designations, while later iterations transitioned to clean, non-instructional layouts.

Collectors also identify variations by examining side seam text, such as the inclusion or omission of specific New York distributor markings and manufacturer trademark strips. In addition, stamped state tax lids—most notably Pennsylvania tax lids—are commonly found among preserved examples. Due to the enduring heritage of the Norristown brewery and its eye-catching design, Rams Head Ale remains a prominent staple in vintage ale can collections.