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Insight Horizon Media

Are old beer cans valuable?

Author

Daniel Rodriguez

Published Feb 18, 2026

Are old beer cans valuable?

The value of a vintage beer cans can run the spectrum of virtually nothing to upwards of $25,000. The three factors that impact a cans worth are: rarity, desirability and quality. Any can missing one or two of these factors will suffer in value.

How old are flat top beer cans?

Churchkey Can Co. Adrian Grenier and Justin Hawkins re-introduced the flat top steel can to the market in 2012, 78 years after it debuted. Their company, Churchkey Can Co., makes a Pilsner-style craft brew in the classic cans, allowing today’s consumers to drink like their great grandparents.

What is a flat top beer can?

Cone top beer cans resembled bottles, while flat top beer cans were steel versions of the aluminum cans breweries produce today. Since the pulltab beer can was not invented until 1962, flat tops required a can opener (or churchkey) to enjoy the contents.

When did they stop making steel beer cans?

Primo Brewing Company was originally founded in Honolulu in 1898, and their 11-ounce can in 1958 was the first all-aluminum beer can to hit market. Straight-sided steel cans would go on to be produced until 1984, but for them this was the beginning of the end.

How much is an unopened Billy Beer Can worth?

No, this can is not rare. There were MILLIONS of cases sold by 4 different breweries in the late 1970s. One estimate of the number of Billy Beer cans made is 2 BILLION. As a result, it is worth about 25 cents at most and then only if it is in very good shape, and if you can find a collector who actually needs one.

How much are beer cans worth?

The deposit/refund amount for containers 1 litre or less is 10 cents and for containers larger than 1 litre the deposit/refund is 25 cents.

When did pull tabs stop?

Ring pull tabs were used until 1975. edge around the opening prevented spillage. Two small raised beads used to align the tab looked like eyes to some. than discarded.”

When did ring pulls change on drinks cans?

The ring-pull design we have on our beverage cans today was introduced in 1989 for soft drinks, and 1990 for beer cans.

What is the top of a beer can called?

A cone top (also called a cap-sealed can, cone-top, or conetop) is a type of can, especially a type of beverage can, introduced in 1935.

When did beer cans stop using pull tabs?

What is the oldest beer can?

Krueger Ale can
The oldest can in the collection is a Krueger Ale can from the 1930s which is similar to the first beer can ever produced in 1935.

Why did they change beer cans?

After a lull in can production during World War II, canned beer came sweeping back into the mainstream. With more beer brands sticking to canning as opposed to bottling, the need for versatile packaging was less important and cone top cans started fading out.

When did they start selling beer by the can?

The practice of selling beer by the can coincided with the end of Prohibition in 1933. Anticipating, perhaps, a change in the political climate, American Can Company had a flat-topped steel beer can ready to go, but it had to offer to install its… The practice of selling beer by the can coincided with the end of Prohibition in 1933.

What are the best canned beer brands?

National canned beer for numerous other small brewers, too, from Red Top in Cincinnati to King’s Brewing in Brooklyn. American Can landed big national accounts like Anheuser-Busch (maker of Budweiser ), Pabst, and Ballantine. Continental was famous for the cone-topped cans it produced for Schlitz .

Who are national canned beer’s biggest customers?

National’s first customer was Northampton, which canned its Tru-Blu brands in flat-top cans. National canned beer for numerous other small brewers, too, from Red Top in Cincinnati to King’s Brewing in Brooklyn. American Can landed big national accounts like Anheuser-Busch (maker of Budweiser ), Pabst, and Ballantine.

Why are cone top cans so popular?

Cone-top cans appealed to customers because they were easy to pour, and they were popular with brewers because the cans could be slotted into existing bottling lines. There were low-profile cone tops and high-profiles ones, as well as mid-profile J-spout cans, all of which were assembled from three pieces of metal.