Sterling Ale Flat Top Can

Evansville's Sterling Ale Flat Top

Manufactured for Sterling Brewers, Inc. of Evansville, Indiana, the Sterling Ale flat top can represents a notable piece of mid-century Ohio River Valley breweriana. While Sterling was widely recognized across the Midwest and the South for its flagship lager and pilsner brands, the companion ale saw significantly lower production runs. Because of these smaller distribution volumes, surviving examples of the ale can are far scarcer and actively sought by collectors compared to the brewery's standard pilsner containers.

The container was produced in a standard 12-ounce format, primarily fabricated by the American Can Company utilizing their "Keglined" process. The graphic presentation showcases the recognizable Sterling trade dress adapted specifically for their ale product, featuring bold mid-century typography and distinct color separation to set it apart on retail shelves. Like other canned products from the Evansville packaging line, select runs also featured branded vanity lids stamped with the brewery's trademark.

A notable characteristic of this can is its inclusion of an opening instruction side panel. Sterling belonged to a select group of breweries that continued printing instructional diagrams and text along the seam panels well after many packaging operations had phased them out.

Variations of the can exist across different production batches. These variations exhibit subtle differences in mandatory statutory text, state tax stamps, side-panel layout, can company identifiers, and the inclusion or exclusion of promotional slogans such as "Mellowed by Age" along the upper rim. Today, the can remains a prominent historical artifact highlighting Indiana's regional canning legacy.