Cans or bottle for aging craft beer?

 

Both cans and bottles had their own advantages and were widely used by craft breweries for packaging their beer. The choice between cans and bottles often depended on various factors, including the type of beer, the brewery's branding and marketing strategy, and consumer preferences. Cans have made significant progress in the craft beer industry. The big advantage is a lot less weight and very important for export. The trend among consumers is to keep trying new beers, preferably from all over the world. Nowadays, even in the smaller specialty beer cafes you can get the most special craft beers from all corners of the world. Preventing weight and damaged packaging is therefore a major challenge for brewers. Cans has a big advantage here. When it comes to the presentation and aging of beer, there is still some discussion and understandable because we don't yet know how a can with Lambic in it has held up after 20 years? In addition, during a tasting or a special occasion it is nice to drink from a large bottle. Cans certainly have the future, but for aging beer and sour beers I am curious whether cans are the right choice! From the glass bottle we know.

Advantages of Cans:

  1. Light Protection: Cans provide excellent protection from light, which can cause beer to develop off-flavors (commonly referred to as "skunked" beer). This is particularly important for beers that are sensitive to light exposure, such as hoppy beers.

  2. Portability: Cans are lightweight and more portable than glass bottles, making them a popular choice for outdoor activities and events like camping and festivals.

  3. Recyclability: Aluminum cans are highly recyclable, and recycling rates for cans tend to be higher than for glass bottles in many regions.

  4. Reduced Oxygen Exposure: Cans can provide a better seal, minimizing the risk of oxygen exposure, which can affect the beer's freshness and flavor.

  5. Stackability: Cans are stackable and take up less space in storage and transportation, which can be cost-effective for breweries.

Advantages of Bottles:

  1. Tradition and Perception: Glass bottles are often associated with higher-end or traditional beer styles. Some consumers prefer the aesthetic of glass bottles and perceive them as premium packaging.

  2. Variety in Size and Shape: Glass bottles come in various sizes and shapes, allowing breweries to create unique packaging for different beer styles.

  3. Aging Potential: Some beer styles, such as certain Belgian ales and strong stouts, are well-suited for aging, and aging in glass bottles has been a traditional practice for these styles.

Regarding aging in cans, it's true that aging beer in cans wasn't as common as aging beer in bottles, especially for styles that benefit from extended maturation. However, some craft breweries have started to experiment with aging beer in cans with the development of special can liners and aging processes. These efforts aimed to preserve the quality and character of the beer over time.

The choice between cans and bottles for aging beer depends on the brewery's specific goals and the characteristics of the beer in question. For some styles that require aging, bottles with cork and cage closures may still be the preferred choice. However, the craft beer industry is known for its innovation, and it's possible that advancements in can technology and aging processes have occurred. 

Tarik Falkenburg

Craft beer connoisseur