Cans

As far as BPA, I don't see it as a problem. The FDA has said it's fine (I think). I don't think it is an issue unless you are heating beer cans. Which is funny, because some ultralight backpackers use old beer cans as lightweight pots to cook their meals while camping. Of course, I think there may be a problem with storing beer in a can for long periods. Glass bottles are probably better for beers that you would put away in a cellar.

My favorite part about cans: a 6 pack of cans is lighter and more friendly for transporting via bicycle!

Edit: http://www.npr.org/2012/03/30/149668771/how-much-bpa-exposure-is-dangerous

That's an interesting link. A study showing that the body doesn't absorb BPA very readily.

 

Cans are far more advantageous than bottles for numerous reasons:

1) Freshness: no air, no light, etc.
2) Easier to ship: cans are much lighter and have two flat edges allowing them to be shipped in sqaure/rectangular packaging, not the bizarre inefficient trapezoids created by bottles
3) Ease of recycling: Aluminum MUCH more efficient to recycle than glass and creating a new can out of recycled aluminum uses MUCH less energy

Now with that said I've had mixed reactions with cans. Some beers tasted delightful and others were not so good (Yes, I poured into a glass). For the ones that didn't taste as good, my guess is that it was likely older, improperly stored, etc. and not the can's fault. Cans really are spectacular for tailgating and smuggling

 

Here's my questions, does the lining extend all around the inside of the can? Meaning, the underside of the lid thats crimped onto the body of the can (part with the tab-pull)? That seems to not have the same texture feel as the body of the can to me. Also, the scoring of the tab itself and the crevice created by the crimp would be perfect for infections to take hold and thrive.

If the lid/tab aren't lined properly you'd get the effects of the aluminum impregnating the beer.

Obviously this is all speculation. IMO glass is fun because its fancier, and can be recycled with about the same energy consumption. Also, glass is less harmful to the environment to make since you don't strip mine for sand...

Aluminum also has a SUPER low specific heat, so it leaves the beer more susceptible to heat damage...

 

No air in a can? Not true. There is essentially no difference in disolved oxygen levels between bottles and cans when run on well maintained lines. And on a poorly maintained line, cans are extremely capable of having very high O2 levels.

 

Both recyclable. Which is better for the earth?

 

How do you figure glass can be recycled with about the same energy consumption? That's simply incorrect.

And about the specific heat, I don't really think that matters. If you're holding it up to a flame for a few minutes sure, but if all the beer is sitting in a hot warehouse or in the back of a hot truck for hours/days/weeks everything will be hot regardless of the packaging

 

The can lining covers the entire inside of the can. The underside of the lid is also completely covered.

 

I was referring to atmospheric air getting in. Minor point, but those caps aren't perfect.

I imagine bottles have some advantage because of the oxygen fixing caps, but it raises a question: do cans utilize any type of oxygen fixing device? Do they need to?

 

Cans do not have any type of oxygen fixers. Most people in the industry would say they are not needed.

 

One thing is better from a can: Double Galactic Daisy Cutter

 

I was wondering about that too, but figured Lucidious was referring to the energy it takes to throw the container into a recycling bin or bring it to a redemption center.

My understanding is that it takes a lot less energy to recycle aluminum cans on the processing side of the equation, as in after it gets to a recycling center the amount of energy needed to clean and process a can into aluminum that can then be re-used is considerably less than the amount of energy it takes to do the same thing with glass.

This is the best argument I've heard against using cans in the beer biz—the process of extracting and processing aluminum ore from bauxite deposits is not exactly enviro-friendly. Not that it makes it better, but to be fair the craft beer industry would probably only increase the volume of aluminum extraction by a fraction of what it already is.

Still, I agree with most environmentally conscious folks that every little bit helps, so when it comes to environmentally-conscious craft beer producers I'm sure it comes down to an equation of "does the amount of energy conserved by the use of aluminum cans outweigh the environmental impact of increased aluminum extraction?"

 

Cheers...ISO

 

But it isn't! With the average can weighing in at less than an ounce and the average glass bottle coming in at 6 ounces. That's alot of extra effort on my part

 

Mind = blown I just thought about how cans were filled and closed with beer inside and I am drawing a blank...

Canned IPAs have been drinking great since I started drinking from them 2 years ago

 

That is all...

 

Just as puzzling as the damn ships in a bottle

 

basically.. and deez

 

love cans but will always have a need for bottles as long as I homebrew.

 

Cans IMO are superior, no more broken bottles on trades.