About Dawson Ale and Beer Cans
Dawson was the most prolific producer of beer cans of all New England brewers in terms of distinct sizes, can types and label designs. These include four of the most handsome beer cans in the hobby. In 1936 Dawson packaged their Master Ale, Pale Ale, Ale, and Beer into Continental Can Company’s ‘Cap-sealed’ cone top cans. Each design featured a large King of Diamonds playing card motif in striking silver, blue, red and gold. All of these are quite scarce, with the beer by far the rarest. They subsequently packaged all of these brews into a blander and much more common orange design available in both low- and high-profile style 12 oz and quart cone top beer cans. Dawson produced a very scarce olive drab Beer cone top during WWII. After the war they canned Gold Crown Ale, Premium Quality Ale, Pale Ale and Beer in high profile cone top beer cans before switching to flat top cans and altering their lineup of brews once again. All of the cone top designs are available in both 12 oz. and quart cone top styles. Flat top brews include Ale and Beer, Calorie Controled Ale and Beer, Gold Crown Beer and Sparkling Ale. Several of these are available in quart cone tops. Dawson is one of only three New England brewers to have canned a Bock beer, that in the mid-1950s. That can is considered quite scarce in good condition. Dawson was available in beer cans into the mid-1970s.


About Dawson Brewing Company
Dawson opened its doors in 1899 in New Bedford, Massachusetts and operated as a brewer until Prohibition in 1919. They began brewing again in 1933 after Prohibition and started canning beer in earnest in 1936. Though their history is long, pre-Prohibition advertising pieces are difficult to come by. They issued but a couple of different—though very graphic—tray designs and signs. By contrast, post-Pro pieces are plentiful and include numerous signs, lit advertising, coasters, trays, clocks, thermometers, scrapers, print ads and paper labeled bottles. Piel Bros. purchased Dawson in 1967 and shifted production of Dawson brews to the former Hampden-Harvard brewery location in Willimansett, Massachusetts. The operation closed in 1975.