Craft Brewers Opting for Cans

Lighter, less expensive cans are becoming more popular for craft brewers.

June 05, 2012

AKRON, OH - Despite ?" or because of ?" its blue-collar appeal, craft brewers are putting their respected ales in cans, the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Rick Vernon, the owner of West Point Market in Akron, Ohio, said he has noticed a number of craft brewers are now canning their brews, including Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Brooklyn Lager, New Belgium Fat Tire, and Breckenridge Avalanche Ale.

"They've really kicked it up a notch as far as what they are putting in cans," Vernon said.

The Brewers Association estimates there are 179 craft breweries offering beer in cans today, a practice that is growing in popularity and acceptance.

Indeed, this year, the Craft Brewers Conference presented its Canny Awards, which honor brewers for the best can designs (Sixpoint Brewery won for Diesel).

Oskar Blues of Lyons, Colo., is credited for launching the craft can trend when it released Dale's Pale Ale more than 10 years ago.

It??s less expensive to package beer in cans rather than glass, and it saves on shipping costs, because a can weighs less than a bottle.

"I am confident to say you will see more and more craft brewers either expand their packaging to canning or dedicate their packaging to canning," said Julia Herz, craft beer program director with the Brewers Association. "As the equipment to can has become more accessible, so have small breweries' interest to package into the can."

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