Red Ribbon Beer Cone Top Can

Wausau's Red Ribbon Cone Top

The Red Ribbon Beer cone top can represents a classic piece of mid-twentieth-century breweriana produced for the Mathie-Ruder Brewing Company of Wausau, Wisconsin. Manufactured by the Continental Can Company under their high-profile design, the can served as the premier canned packaging for Mathie-Ruder's flagship beer.

Brewery Background

Mathie-Ruder was established following the repeal of Prohibition, bringing together two longstanding local brewing legacies originating with Otto Mathie and George Ruder. Red Ribbon was the brewery's primary product, marketed aggressively across central Wisconsin alongside labels such as North Star. The brewery continued canning Red Ribbon until the plant ultimately ceased operations in the mid-1950s.

Design & Collector Significance

The can's graphic presentation features the distinct Red Ribbon insignia set against a clean background, framed by stylized typography and the Mathie-Ruder brewing credit. Variations exist across production runs, primarily involving minor text layout adjustments and manufacturing plant stamps.

Because Mathie-Ruder was a smaller regional operation with limited distribution compared to national brewing giants, authentic Red Ribbon cone top cans are considered highly elusive and remain prized centerpieces for Wisconsin and Midwestern breweriana collections.