Manufacturing code on beer cans

Many brewers have started putting a 'Canned on' or a 'Best by' date somewhere on the can, and I'm going to guess that some might be Julian dates, but other than those two categories I don't know of any source to explain any other codes. Sit tight though and wait for more info here because there are some can collectors who post in this forum.

 

Is the code similar to the one shown in this post? If yes, then it does appear to be the manufacturer's code which the poster there mentioned.

 

Call or otherwise contact Ball and Crown - the two largest beer can manufacturers in the US. Typically such manufacturing codes (they are also printed on or embossed onto bottles) will represent the day, shift and time at the specific plant, line/machine the can came from.

 

If you have a collection that goes back a while it might be more difficult to sort out the codes. While Ball & Crown are running the show today, that was not always the case. MCC has a long history as Anheuser-Busch's canmaking arm and you may have some cans from the many beers they produce. Rexam is in the process of being acquired by Ball right now, but they have had a serious presence in the US for a while. American National Can used to be around until Rexam acquired them. Alcoa is involved with producing some aluminum bottles and you'll see their seal pop up. And if your collection is international ... the list goes on.