Silver State Lager Beer Cone Top Can

Colorado's Silver State Cone Top

The Silver State Lager Beer cone top can is a celebrated regional collector's item originating from the Ph. Schneider Brewing Company of Trinidad, Colorado. Manufactured by the Continental Can Company, it stands as an important artifact from southern Colorado's industrial brewing history.

Brewery Heritage

Founded in the late 19th century by German immigrant Philip Schneider, the Ph. Schneider Brewing Company operated in Trinidad—a major hub along the Santa Fe Trail and regional rail lines. The facility served southern Colorado and northern New Mexico, surviving through Prohibition before resuming commercial production and packaging its beverages in modern metal containers.

Design and Collector Significance

The Silver State Lager can features distinctive typography and graphics centered around the Silver State moniker, paying homage to regional western identity. It includes the Ph. Schneider mandatory text and standard Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) markings.

Because the brewery focused primarily on local distribution, production runs were relatively small compared to larger national competitors. Consequently, surviving examples of the Silver State Lager cone top are exceedingly scarce. Over the years, documented specimens have surfaced from historic building renovations and private regional collections, making it a marquee centerpiece among Colorado breweriana specialists.