Wehle Colonial Ale Flat Top Can

Wehle Colonial Ale Overview

Manufactured for the Wehle Brewing Company of West Haven, Connecticut, the Wehle Colonial Ale flat top represents a notable piece of New England brewing heritage from the post-Prohibition era. Operating out of Campbell Avenue, Wehle established a strong regional footprint across the Northeast with an extensive portfolio focused predominantly on ales, with Colonial Ale serving as one of its prominent offerings.

The can was produced by the American Can Company and features classic colonial-themed typography and graphics that reflected regional New England identity. The reverse side incorporates opening instructional panels along with the historic Internal Revenue Tax Paid (IRTP) mandatory statement.

Collectors have documented variations of the Wehle Colonial Ale can. These variations include differences in distributor address text—such as versions noting a New York location—along with subtle changes to the instructional panel formatting and manufacturer codes.

Given the relatively brief operating lifespan of the West Haven facility, cans from the Wehle Brewing Company remain highly sought-after artifacts of Connecticut's commercial canning history, holding a revered spot among historic ale can collectors.