Commentary: Why Craft Breweries are Turning to Cans

I was at Whole Foods the other day and stumbled into the beer isle and noticed how many different beers now come in cans, and I'm not talking about Bud, Miller, Coors, etc.  I'm talking about craft beers.  I'm talking Sierra Nevada, New Belgium, Oskar Blues, etc.  All these craft beers that were once only sold strickly by the keg and in bottles, are now available in cans.  Beer in cans used to be perceived as cheap, watered down American beers.  But not anymore.  So, what are the reasons for the suddenly popular craft beers in aluminum cans movement?  Aren't these breweries worried about affecting the taste of their beers by serving it in cans?  Everyone who knows beer knows that the majority of beers taste the best when served in a bottle or draft.  The exceptions are those beers in clear and green bottles that become vulnerable to light and lead to skunking, such as Corona, Miller Genuine Draft, Stella, Heineken, etc.).

The positives of beer in cans, without taste being a factor:

1.  You can take cans to public places, like public pools, beaches and parks.

2.  Cans are way more portable.  You can fit a lot more cans of beer into a small cooler than bottles.

3.  Cans are more space friendly:  Like a cooler, canned beers take less space in your fridge as well.

4.  Cans don't break as easily.

Now the positives of beer cans, with taste being a factor:

1.  Cans are airtight and oxygen free.  So they can be stored longer with less chance of oxidation compared to bottles.

2.  There is often a misconception that cans will attach a metallic taste to beer.  But that is not true.  Most cans and lids are spray coated so no beer ever comes in contact with the aluminum, avoiding any metallic off-flavors.  If you don't believe me, go out and buy a can and bottle of Fat Tire.  Pour each of them into a glass and see if you can taste a difference.

3.  Cans provide the best protection against light.  As a result, the beer inside has a far less chance of skunking and eventually becoming undrinkable.

When it comes to pouring the beers into a glass, the difference between cans and bottles are miniscule.  But there is a big difference when drinking beer directly from the bottle or can.  When I am drinking a beer directly from a bottle, I feel the beer flows out a lot more uniform and smooth, retaining a heavier beer's mouthfeel.  And altering the mouthfeel of a beer can affect the taste in a big way.  In cans, the beer flows out more splashy and choppy.  Drink a Guinness from a bottle then drink one from a can and tell me if you feel/taste a difference.  Of course, when I am at home drinking a beer, I will always pour it into a glass, whether its from a can or bottle.  

In any case, this is a huge step in the growth of craft beer.  The more you make your product available and easier to consume, the more consumers will purchase it.  While the beer may slightly suffer being available in cans, it is still a thousand times better than drinking a Coors from a can.  No longer will beer drinkers have to settle for BMC, Corona or other swill when going to the beach or park. We can finally drink a delicious and complex Oskar Blues brew while lounging by the pool.  No longer will bottles crowd your fridge or take up all the space in your picnic cooler. Cans are not only cheaper than bottles, but they are also better for the environment, as cans have more recyclable material than bottles.  Keep the cans coming!