Regal New Orleans' Famous Premium Beer 12 Oz Tab Top Can

Regal Premium Beer by Drewrys Ltd.

The Regal New Orleans' Famous Premium Beer can produced by Drewrys Ltd. in South Bend, Indiana, represents a notable geographic crossover in American brewing history. While the Regal label originated as the flagship product of the American Brewing Company in New Orleans, Louisiana, corporate consolidations and licensing shifts under larger brewing syndicates led to the label being packaged outside its home market.

Historical Context

During the era of regional brewery consolidation, Associated Brewing Company held controlling interest in Drewrys Ltd. and managed several regional brand names. This arrangement allowed Drewrys' large production facility in South Bend to can legacy labels such as Regal, pairing iconic Southern branding with Midwestern manufacturing.

Design and Collector Significance

The can's graphic layout retains the prominent "New Orleans' Famous" billing above the bold Regal brand banner. The side panel features the South Bend, Indiana mandatory text identifying Drewrys Ltd. as the brewer.

Among breweriana collectors, variations are known to exist regarding the mandatory text, including differences in print coloration such as yellow and gold lettering, along with minor differences in can company lithography markings. This can serves as a key crossover item, bridging Southern label heritage with Indiana brewing history.