About Narragansett Ale and Beer Cans
Narragansett was an early adopter of beer cans, issuing their first in 1936. Brands packaged into beer cans were Banquet Ale, Lager Beer and Pale Ale, all with opening instructions, and several variations of each exist. Brews canned later include Light Ale, Gold Label Ale, Select Stock Lager and Draft. A rare olive drab Select Stock Lager beer can was issued during WWII. By the 1960s the stable of canned brews was reduced to just Ale and Lager beer, with Draft making its brief appearance in limited distribution about 1965 in an early pull tab beer can. The only cone top beer can was Banquet Ale, a quart can from Continental Can. Many early cans and some '50s and '60s variations are very scarce in top grade. One particularly scarce label is a commemorative can issued for the Williams College 25th reunion of the Class of 1939: Williams Purple Cow Lager. This can is a 12 oz. zip top issued in 1964. Narragansett acquired a number of its competitors over the years. Among them, a variety of James Hanley, Haffenreffer, Krueger and Croft brews were all canned in Cranston. These included: Ambassador, Boh, Pickwick, Croft, Falstaff, Haffenreffer (Draft, Malt Liquor and Beer), Hanley (Pilsener and Export), and Krueger (Beer, Ale and Draft).


About Narragansett Brewing Company of Cranston, RI
Because of its long history (1890-1981) much advertising is available. It operated during Prohibition, during which time it’s main product was soda. Falstaff ran the brewery from 1965 until 1981 when it was closed. Trays, lithos, reverse-painted signs, lit advertising, tin-over-cardboard tackers, and much more were produced. Brews are currently produced by Genesee and at other locations. Most Narragansett advertising produced since about 1965 has little value to vintage collectors.