In the vast world of beer, where a staggering variety of flavors and brews are consumed daily, a captivating realm exists of collectors and enthusiasts who seek out the extraordinary and the elusive. For these aficionados, the thrill lies in uncovering the rarest and most valuable beer cans that have transcended their purpose as vessels of refreshing libations and become coveted pieces of history and art.
From limited edition releases to long-forgotten relics of the past, these exceptional beer cans hold an allure that extends beyond their contents, commanding astonishing prices in the collector’s market. Each can tells a unique story, whether a remarkable design, a momentous event, or a significant part of brewing history.
This article will explore the 8 rarest and most valuable beer cans, each with its own mystique and appeal.
8. Rheingold Pale Double Bock Beer
Estimated Price: $10,000+
Years produced: 1937
Image source: moreanauctions.com
The Rheingold Pale Double Bock beer can was designed for the Liebmann Breweries Company in 1937. Produced with meticulous attention to detail by the American Can Company, this iconic beer can showcases a graphic featuring two orange dancing Bock goats delightfully indulging in a shared glass of beer.
Over time, the Rheingold Pale Double beer can has become a rarity, with only a limited number of well-preserved examples still in existence. In 2019, one example of this rare beer can was sold for $10,080 at an auction.
Did you know?
During its heyday, Rheingold beer emerged as one of the top beer brands in New York, capturing the hearts and palates of many, particularly among the workingmen.
7. Apache Export Beer Cone Top Can
Estimated Price: $16,500 – $28,000
Years produced: Late 1930
Image source: moreanauctions.com
The Apache Export Beer Cone Top Can is a true gem among beer can collectors, renowned for its scarcity and exceptional value. Crafted during the late 1930s by the esteemed Continental Can Company for the Arizona Brewing Co. in Phoenix, this remarkable beer can is a testament to artistic craftsmanship and brewing history.
The can feature an image of a Native American Apache Indian donning an elaborate headdress, set against a backdrop of radiant gold metallic and intricate black patterns. Due to its rarity, finding an intact and well-preserved example of this esteemed beer can is very difficult.
Did you know?
The Arizona Brewing Company was one of the breweries that emerged in Arizona following the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. The Arizona Brewing Co. stood as the sole success story of eight breweries established then.
6. Hanleys Ale Quart Beer Can
Estimated Price: $500
Years produced: 1940s
Image source: moreanauctions.com
The Hanley’s Ale Quart beer cans produced in the 1940s are among the rarest. Continental Can Company manufactured these cans for James Hanley Co., Providence, Rhode Island.
Of particular interest to avid collectors are the IRTP (Internal Revenue Tax Paid) cans, such as this one, which denote that the tax on the beer had been prepaid. These cans were predominantly released during the war years, and They often found their way to the hands of troops as part of their military rations.
Brewers were required to allocate 15% of their production to support the war effort, and these specially marked cans were a tangible contribution to that cause. Additionally, the IRTP cans contained beer with a lower alcohol by volume (ABV) than commercially sold beer, making them unique in composition.
Did you know?
The roots of the James Hanley Brewery trace back to an inn and liquor store established by James Hanley in 1862 in Downtown Providence. Over time, the business expanded and evolved, ultimately leading to the establishment of the James Hanley Co.
5. Krueger Cream Ale Beer Can
Estimated Price: $2,000+
Years produced: 1935
Image source: gray-wwbt-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com
The first-ever commercial beer can in the US was introduced by the American Can Company in partnership with Krueger Brewing Company on January 24, 1935. The inaugural offerings, Krueger Finest Beer and Krueger Cream Ale debuted in Richmond, Virginia, initiating a new era in the brewing world.
With each passing year, the first batch of Krueger Cream Ale beer cans grew significantly, becoming a highly sought-after collector’s item. As time passed, the rarity of these early cans only intensified their allure, making them prized treasures among beer can aficionados.
As early as 1909, the American Can Company had been exploring the concept of beer cans. However, they faced obstacles in creating a container that could withstand the pressure exerted by carbonation without compromising its integrity.
It wasn’t until just before the end of Prohibition in 1933 that the company made a breakthrough with its innovative “keg-lining” technique. By coating the inside of the can similarly to a keg, they overcame the hurdle and triumphantly brought beer cans to the market.
Did you know?
Beer cans debuted in both the United States and the United Kingdom around the same time. In 1935, the Felinfoel Brewery in Wales introduced beer cans in the UK, featuring a cone-shaped top, unlike the American cans.
4. New Yorker Beer Flat Top Can
Estimated Price: $5,000 to $10,000
Years produced: 1940
Image source: moreanauctions.com
The New Yorker Beer flat top can, produced in 1940, stands as the pinnacle of beer can collecting, often hailed as the holy grail among enthusiasts. Crafted with exquisite attention to detail by the American Can Company for the Greater New York Brewery Inc. in the bustling metropolis of New York, this iconic beer can is a prized possession that encapsulates the essence of artistry and brewing history.
The artwork adorning the New Yorker Beer flat top can portray the New York City skyline, set against a deep, rich blue backdrop. The design’s intricate detailing and vibrant colors add depth and grandeur, capturing the spirit and energy of the city that never sleeps.
Did you know?
Steel was the primary material used when beer cans were first introduced in the 1930s due to its durability and availability. However, steel cans were eventually phased out in favor of aluminum cans, which offered several advantages such as being lighter in weight, more resistant to corrosion, and easier to recycle.
3. Gunther’s Beer Flat Top Can
Estimated Price: $5,000 to $10,000
Years produced: 1930s
Image source: moreanauctions.com
The Gunther’s beer flat top can, featuring the first Gunther label variation, is one of the rarest beer can on this list. Its scarcity is a testament to its desirability among collectors, with a single example of this extraordinary can fetching an impressive price of $8,400 in a notable sale back in 2019.
The American Can Company crafted the can for Gunther Brewing Co., Baltimore. It features stunning late-Art Deco typography and a bold color-blocked design.
Produced circa 1935, this can display the U permit 400, a singular patent pending statement, and an opening instruction label. However, as the can evolved and subsequent releases took place, this instructional label was discarded, making the early editions even more treasured among collectors for their unique features.
Did you know?
Flat-top beer cans pioneered the concept of canned beer, becoming the first-ever style to grace the market. With its innovative design, the flat top can capture the industry’s attention and dominated the market until the 1960s.
2. Canco Test Beer Can
Estimated Price: $1,000 – $5,000
Years produced: 1933
Image source: www.jacquelinestallone.com
The Canco Test Beer can symbolizes a pivotal moment in the evolution of beer packaging. It is the very first beer can ever produced.
The Canco Test Beer can was the first beer can ever produced. Crafted by the American Can Company, this can served as a groundbreaking prototype, demonstrating the feasibility and functionality of flat-topped cans without the now-ubiquitous stay tabs.
These pioneering cans typically fled with air during their production, occasionally being filled with beer to showcase their capabilities. The exact number of Canco Test Beer cans produced remains unknown, but it is incredibly hard to locate one.
Did you know?
Beer can is an environmentally conscious choice as it is the most recycled packaging material on earth.
1. Tally-Ho Cone-Top Beer Can
Estimated Price: $7,500+
Years produced: Late 1930s
Image source: moreanauctions.com
The Tally-Ho Cone-Top Beer can is the rarest beer can, with only two known examples in existence. The Continental Can Co. crafted this can for the City Brewing Corporation.
As one of the earliest examples of cone-top beer cans, the Tally-Ho can showcase its creators’ ingenuity and forward-thinking approach. Its artwork captures the imagination, featuring a horse-drawn cart set against a vibrant golden-yellow background. This eye-catching design is a testament to the artistic prowess and attention to detail that went into the creation of this extraordinary can.
While the Tally-Ho Cone-Top Beer can is undeniably rare, its value in the auction market may not rival that of other highly sought-after cans on this prestigious list. In a notable auction held in 2019, a single example of this ultra-rare can fetched a price of $7,280. While not reaching astronomical figures, its scarcity and historical significance make it a prized possession among collectors who recognize its unique place in brewing history.
Did you know?
The Continental Can Company was the first to introduce the cone-top can design. In September 1935, the company launched this innovative design for the G. Heilemann Brewing Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin.
