thoughts on craft beer in cans

There will always be some environmental tole for any packaging that is used for beer. Definitely a large impact producing aluminum from ore, but that is lessened when recycled, as is glass. But both take energy to recycling as well. The bottle reuse is a really good idea, but would take a serious discipline shift in the United States. And even that takes energy from the point of sanitizing. The least impact would have to be using growlers and buying local. Takes the shipping and recycling out of the process completely, and the initial production of the growler and cleaning is the impact.

I support lessening that in whatever way we can in a phased approach. So as long as cans are being recycled, it seems like the best option for now since it lessens shipping costs for weight and is cheaper to recycle. I'd hate to see bottles go away totally because then homebrewers wouldn't be able to recycle them from their purchases. And new ones would have to be purchased to get into the hobby or replace new ones. Ultimately I'm most concerned with the contents, but it's good to see that packaging is a thought in our community.

 

But it definitely is best for beer. Complete protection from sunlight and oxygen can't be beat.

 

It was common knowledge that I was once likely the biggest can hater on the planet. Now I just can't get enough quality canned beer. There's just nothing like whipping your prejudices with facts. Canned craft beer, come to me!

 

I purposely seek out canned beer and buy then over bottles in most cares.

 

I like craft in cans. The more the better.

 

I feel the opposite as far as the "aesthetics" of seeing a can as opposed to a bottle. Cans have more usable real estate on their labels, so you can add more information, descriptions, or just cool stories and pictures and shit. Cans are lighter, don't shatter and become safety hazards, and more often than not (in the craft beer market) they are 16oz rather than 12oz. Plus, if anyone sees you walking down the sidewalk or in a grocery store with a 16oz can will either assume you are drinking some obscure brands of energy drink, or they know that it's beer, but don't say anything. This is my theory, at least...

I also believe that beer is just as enjoyable drinking straight out the can as it is from a glass, whereas drinking from the bottle leaves much to be desired.

 

My thoughts exactly. I wish all beers were available in cans and there have been instances where I chose a beer over a other because it was in a can. I have never chosen a bottle over a can with all else being equal.

 

I prefer drinking from cans, but shipping cans IMO are a little noisy compared to bottles.

 

Yes quite a few breweries do can conditioning. I know for a fact Sierra Nevada Pale and New Belgium Fat Tire are conditioned in the can. I have had numerous other brewery's cans and gotten yeast in my glass as well. I can say its a safe bet adding some priming sugar vs force CO2 saves a bit of cash in the process. Cans can withstand at least 4 volumes of CO2 while most beers are around the 2.5 volume range. (soft drinks are canned near 4 volumes)

 

If it's good beer, it's good beer. The vessel doesn't matter to me. Cans are very more versitile in carrying and legal ways (beach, parks, concerts, etc) but I don't want an imperial stout in a can. It ruins Ten Fidy for me.

 

Partial to glass but cans don't break in shipment and thats a big plus for traders. I feel like you never see "whales" in a can... Sorry for being off topic but whats the most sought after/expensive beer in a can? Heady..Surly..Ten Fidy?

 

I prefer canned beer for many of the previously posted reasons. A few quibbles though, cans seem very flimsy these days maybe thinner to save energy. Also it might be my imagination but comparing the same brew in cans or bottles the cans seem to have lower carbonation.

 

Well here in Michigan, I believe, the only craft brewer that I like, that distributes in cans exclusively is Vivant. Surprised more haven't quickly followed suit yet.

• Aluminum is more easily recycled, 54% of aluminum cans are recycled in the US, vs 36% of glass bottles being recycled (Glass Packaging Institute)

Hey, as long as stores don't shelve these cans in direct sunlight I think taste will be just as good as the bottled ones.

 

Ballast Point Sculpin now comes in cans, and I have to say that it is a mighty fine beer in the can - I prefer it over the bottle, IMHO.

 

I agree with can for IPAs and beers that won't be aged, but I remember reading on here how the lining in cans can break down over time and contaminate the beer when aging. I remember reading about how theirs new technology for cans that doesn't use BPA, maybe I'm wrong and there's not but if their is why aren't breweries using it? For this reason and just purely the whole experience, I won't buy stouts or barleywines in a can, to me they just seem to belong in a bottle and I have no fears about aging them.

 

All beer should be required, by law, to be packaged in 16 oz tall boy cans. Or stubby bottles. With cool artwork labels, to be approved only by me. Yep.

 

I love the canning. Theyre easily stacked in my fridge but the best reasons for having craft beer in cans is, where I live, I can take craft beer to the beach/boat. Most, if not all beaches in Florida wont allow glass on them, so by having the beer in cans, I can crush some Jai Alai while digging my toes in the sand

 

I, for instance, absolutely love SN Torpedo. My first experience with it, and for the longest time was bottle only. Great stuff. Then the can came out. It felt fresher, smoother and creamier. Poured into my favorite glass, it even seemed to LOOK better. Cans? Sold. Count me in.