This past weekend I went to a local beer collectible show just outside of Allentown, PA and scored this rare quart cone top can. I was digging through a bunch of boxes full of quart cans and came across this one. When I saw it I knew i had to have it plus I got it for a steal on the price! Upon purchasing it and walking around the show with it I got 4 offers to buy it from other collectors but decided to keep it for my own collection.
This can was made by the Old Reading Brewing Company located in Reading, PA. I would put a date on this can around the late 1930’s to early 1940’s. The graphics on the can features Old Reading’s PA Dutch mascot “Old Gus” toasting with a pint of beer. This can is very hard to come by in any condition, I know it’s rough but at least you can make out the images and the text on the piece rather easily. This can was also made in 2 different colors, a dark blue (which is this one) and a green which is ultra rare and highly sought after by collectors. There is also a smaller version of this can made as a pint can with similar graphics.
There are actually 2 variations of this can, one that dark blue one reads Old Reading Beer like the one I have while the other emerald green one reads Old Reading Ale. The Old Reading Ale quart cone top can is the harder variation to find. Old Reading beer quart cans like this in excellent condition can go for some big money, I’m just glad to have this one like this in my collection; who knows I might find a better one at some point down the road.