Poll: Cans vs. Bottles (definitive preference)

Cans for better preservation, then pour into a glass! But I still like bottles because most of my favorites are bottled!

 

Thank you for giving me an example of a canned wild ale and I guess you're right about the freshness of the beer being more important than the receptacle. However, I'm sure you can agree with me that, as far as the preservative nature of the container goes, plastic<glass<can, no?

 

Cans. Better mobility, less storage space, (generally) a reasonable 12oz size. (OB can shove their weird-ass sized cans right up their bungholes)

 

CANS

 

I voted cans but I am most fond of the 5.16 gallon "can" in my downstairs fridge because when it's empty it goes back to the brewery to be washed and reused. Even better than recycling.

 

I will agree that in many aspects, including preservation, the can is a superior vessel. I think that much is nearly undebatable. The only legitimate counter I can produce is that the difference is often negligible. If we are consuming the product as intended and in its prime condition, in most cases fresh, there is very little difference in the product between containers. Beer can be left to sit in less than ideal environments, this is where cans benefits stand out. The everyday application makes sense to protect against possible problems but these benefits are also often oversold.

 

Just dont microwave them and you should be fine.

 

cans provide better protection against light, but aging is better in bottles, so I agree with the other poster.... IPAs in cans and stouts in bottles

 

16 oz cans ftw!

 

Cans

 

I do not have a definitive preference because it depends.

 

I know the arguments that cans are better for preservation of the beer, ease of transport, use on boats etc. etc. but I just like my beer in bottles, period.

 

Too late for the poll, but I would not have voted anyway. It depends on the beer. The more established ones, should not matter in terms of content, so cans may get a slight edge as for reasons already mentioned. Beers that start out in bottles than add or switch to cans tend to have slight differences in flavor and carbonation. But in terms of grabbing one and drinking it from the container, it's bottles, hands down--I just don't like drinking out of cans. I also find them easier to handle and store in the fridge, and they are less likely to suffer physical damage. Cans are better for picnics or on a boat, but they can't really be cellared. There are just too many variables for a single choice. My personal pet peeve is actually chubbies (like Sierra Nevada or Red Hook)--never liked the shape. My favorite is 1L and 2L flip-tops, but they are rare.

 

I am starting to see more and more cans show up at my local Wegmans. I asked the guy who works in the beer department (he is highly knowledgeable) about it because I didn't really know. He explained to me that there is a large move in the industry because it is cheaper, doesn't affect taste contrary to the belief we had in high school, and unlike with bottles, the sun is unable to penetrate and possibly alter the taste over time.

Cigar City is a huge fan of cans. Actually, one of their selections I tried visiting family in Florida last year was the first craft beer I had ever had out of a can. Recently, as of two weeks ago, Jai Alai is probably one of the best IPAs I have ever had. And again, it was out of a can. I am sold on cans not being a bad thing. Still though, I am so used to bottles.

What does everyone else think about cans? Stick with bottles, or embrace the aluminum?

 

I love cans. Lighter, easier to dispose of and better to drink directly from, in my opinion.

 

If you can age it, bottle.
If it has a short shelf life, can.

Overall, can.