Red Cap (carling's) Ale Flat Top Can

Carling's Red Cap Ale Can History

Produced by the Brewing Corporation of America in Cleveland, Ohio, the Red Cap Ale flat top represents a notable era in American brewing history. Following the repeal of Prohibition, the Peerless Motor Car Company converted its expansive Quincy Avenue automotive plant into a major brewery under the direction of James A. Bohannon and Canadian brewing executive E. P. Taylor.

Through this venture, the Brewing Corporation of America secured the American rights to brew and package Carling's established Canadian ale. The can's face prominently features the classic red jockey-style cap motif, which served as the central trademark for the brand's national promotional campaigns. The brewery text specifically identifying "Br. Corp. of Amer." marks cans produced before the firm officially adopted the name Carling Brewing Company during the mid-1950s.

These cans were manufactured using American Can Company's "Keglined" interior coating process. Among hobbyists, several variations of the label are known to exist, exhibiting subtle differences in distributor text, alcohol statutory markings, and layout details. The can remains a celebrated artifact of Cleveland's legacy as one of the country's mid-century brewing centers.