Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2018.008.001 |
Object Name |
Can |
Title |
Champale Extra Dry Can |
Description |
The can is cylindrical and silver, featuring various images and inscriptions on both the front and back. In the upper right corner of the front, there is a red half-circle with a silver inscription that reads, "SERVE LIKE CHAMPAGNE." Inside the red half-circle, there is a black circle containing a silver, black, and red logo of two unicorns standing on their hind legs, each holding up a shield. The shield is adorned with a design resembling two castles. Below the logo, the red inscription "Extra Dry" is displayed. Surrounding the half-circle and inscription are numerous red and black lines, mostly horizontal, that encircle the can. A large black diagonal inscription runs across the right side of the front, interrupting the red and black lines, and reads, "Champale." In the lower right corner, the red inscription "Extra Dry" appears again. The lower left corner features the number "9," in black, inside a black triangle. The back of the can mirrors the front, except for the number "9," which is replaced by a black inscription reading, "12 FL OZ SPARKLING MALT LIQUOR." On the right side near the bottom of the can, there is a red rectangle containing a silver barcode, with the numbers "01860020001." Above the barcode, a vertical black inscription reads, "CHAMPALE INC., TRENTON, N.J. A COMPANY OF IQOQUOIS BRANDS LTD., 1982 IBL." The top of the can features an elevated rim that encircles the edges, with a circular can opener located on the left side. The bottom of the can is indented, with a hole near the center. According to Elina Shatkin of LA Weekly and Jeff Edelstein of the Trentonian, the Metropolis Brewing Company began manufacturing Champale in 1939. Champale is a type of malt liquor made with yeasts traditionally used in winemaking. The company later changed its name to Champale Inc. Champale was primarily marketed to African Americans and offered several varieties, including Extra Dry, Pink, and Gold Champale. When in operation, the brewing of Champale produced an unpleasant odor around the factory. The Trenton factory eventually closed in 1986. Over the following decades, ownership of Champale changed multiple times, and as of 2024, it is owned by Pabst. Citations Edelstein, J. (2021, August 28). It’s Time to Make America Champale Again. Trentonian. https://www.trentonian.com/2016/06/21/jeff-edelstein-its-time-to-make-america-champale-again/ Shatkin, E. (2019, May 23). Champale: The Champagne of Malt Liquors. LA Weekly. https://www.laweekly.com/champale-the-champagne-of-malt-liquors-video/ |
Date |
1982 |
Material |
Metal |
Artist |
Champale |
Height (in) |
4.750 |
Diameter (in) |
2.500 |
Condition |
Good |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Accretions throughout Front: There is a brown accretion on top near the middle. Also, there are white accretions on the bottom near the middle. Right Side: There are brown and white accretions on top near the left side. Back: There is a brown accretion on top near the middle. Left Side: There is a black accretion on the bottom near the left side. There is a dent on the bottom near the right side. And finally, there is a brown accretion on top near the middle. Top: There is a tape accretion all over the left side. Bottom: There is nothing of note. |
Inscription Type |
Manufacturer's Mark |
Inscription Location |
Front+Back,Top-Bottom,Left-Right |
Inscription Technique |
Stamped |
Inscription Text |
"SERVE LIKE CHAMPAGNE" Line 1 "EXTRA DRY" Line 2 "Champale" Line 3 "Extra" Line 4 "Dry" Line 5 "9 12 FL OZ SPARKLING MALT LIQUOR" Line 6 Manufacturer's Mark Stamped Right Side, Top to Bottom, Left to Right "0" Line 1 "CHAMPALE, INC., TRENTON," Line 2 "N.J. A COMPANY OF" Line 3 "IROQUOIS BRANDS LTD.," Line 4 "1982 IBL" Line 5 |
Classification |
Business & Commerce |
Subjects |
Water Drinking vessels Alcoholic beverages Liquor stores Liqueurs Cans Unicorns |
Search Terms |
Champale Can Gold Silver 20th Century Coupe Alcohol Trenton New Jersey NJ Liquor Cup Sparkling 1939 1986 1981 20th Century Metropolis Brewing Company Pabst Gold Pink Extra Dry Unicorn Shield Castle Grey Laura 12 FL OZ Fluid Ounces Champale Extra Dry Can |
Provenance |
This item was donated to the library by Laura Poll. She purchased it from Charles M. Poppele of Montello, WI. It became apart of the Museum Collection in March of 2018. |