Red Top Beer Flat Top Can

Drewrys Red Top Flat Top Can

This 12-ounce flat top can represents a mid-century transitional release of Red Top Beer, packaged under the Drewry's Ltd. banner in South Bend, Indiana. The can's lithography features the iconic crimson shield displaying the stylized white "Redtop" name, set against a metallic silver-and-white patterned backdrop. Directly beneath the shield, the word "BEER" is printed in metallic silver lettering—a distinct visual feature highlighted in collector references. Below the style designation, an elegant script proclaims "Bright Refreshing Flavor" set over a small red accent dot, while the lower rim features the energetic, repeating promotional phrase, "STOP FOR REDTOP!"

The Red Top brand originated in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the Red Top Brewing Company rose to prominent regional status following the repeal of Prohibition. Propelled by high-visibility marketing, catchy rhyming slogans, and extensive distribution across the Midwest, Red Top established itself as a widely recognized everyday lager. When the original Cincinnati brewery shuttered in the late 1950s, the brand's formulas and trademarks were acquired by outside brewing concerns. The label transitioned through several regional facilities, continuing production under licensed brewing arrangements.

This particular variation was produced by Drewry's Ltd. U.S.A., Inc. in South Bend, Indiana. The facility traced its heritage back to 1852 as the Muessel Brewing Company, a mainstay of South Bend industry that operated until national Prohibition. In 1936, Canadian brewing interests associated with Edward L. Drewry purchased the shuttered plant, establishing Drewrys Ltd. U.S.A. The company expanded rapidly during the 1940s and 1950s, becoming one of the largest regional brewers in the Midwest and gaining widespread fame through its Canadian Mountie advertising iconography. Amid mounting competitive pressure from national mega-brewers, Drewrys merged into the Associated Brewing Company conglomerate during the 1960s, and the historic South Bend brewery eventually ceased brewing operations in 1972.

For vintage can collectors, this flat top is an important artifact of mid-century label migration and regional consolidation. The use of silver ink for the beer designation and the South Bend mandatory statement distinguish it within the broader lineage of Red Top packaging, making it a sought-after piece for collectors focused on Indiana brewing history and historic Midwestern brands.