I need your help
I’m doing a little research on an article I’m writing about craft beer in cans. The article will be local to Missoula, Montana, but for research purposes, I’d like to broaden the scope a bit.
Canned craft beer is ragingly popular right now. That, combined with more eco-friendly recycling methods and lower carbon footprints associated with cans, have spurred on a race not only for brewers to can but for canning machine manufacturers to create smaller, lower-priced units for different breweries.
My question to you, dear readers, is this: Do you enjoy craft beer in cans?
If so, why? Is there a particular flavor, i.e., stout, IPA, pale ale, hefeweizen or brown ale that you prefer? Why? Are you more likely to travel to sporting events, picnics or recreational events with canned craft beer rather than bottled craft beer?
There is not widespread availability of any single craft brewery’s canned beer other than the likes of Big Sky Brewing Co., and New Belgium Brewing Co., but many small breweries can and ship their product locally. Do you have a local or regional favorite craft brewery that is canning?
What do you think of the designs of the canned microbrew? Are they too retro? Too unremarkable? How do you brand a craft brewery’s canned product that might have seven or eight different styles without sacrificing brand awareness?
OK, that’s enough. This thing is getting deep already. But listen, I really need your help with this. You don’t have to answer the questions in order or even all of them, but please try and put down at least a few thoughts on canned craft beers along with your full name in the comments section.
It’s much appreciated.
Prost,
GG
Caldera out of Ashland Oregon cans their pale ale and their IPA. It seems to me that you get a fresher hop taste and aroma out of the cans because of the inability for the beer to be light struck. Also I think the canning process introduces less oxygen, I’ve had a lot of stale tasting craft brews in bottles.
Check out http://www.surlybrewing.com/index.php. Surly makes a variety of excellent, style-defying beers and they’ve been canning from their beginning. While there’s certainly an outdoor scene in Minnesota, I think the Surly cans are actually more popular with city-kids…the same scene that brought tallboys in vogue can now drink a classier option. Lots of good stuff from MN…Dylan, Prince, Atmosphere, Surly…
I’m very happy about the availablility of craft beer in cans. I spend alot of time on the water and camping in the summer and cans are the only way to go. I’m looking forward to a Kettlehouse Cold Smoke while kayaking the Blackfoot this summer! And, I couldn’t car less about the design on the can, but I’ve found the beers to taste almost as good as drinking them at the brewery!
I think its great that craft brewers are beginning to put their beer in cans. There is a definite advantage in the outdoor sporting arena for this container and I am definitely more likely to grab a can when going golfing, hikeing, snowboarding ect… I think there is a perception that good beer doesn’t come in a can. There is no real basis for this other than domestic breweries are the only ones who historically have used cans. If you think about it draft beer has the reputation for being the best way to experience a brew and a keg is nothing more than an oversized can. As for other breweries I know 21st amendment out of san fransisco advertises themselves as starting a craft beer canning revolution. They point out that canned beer stays fresher longer. I think bottled beer still offers a lot in the way of conditioning and ageing, I mean really can you imagine yourself drinking a 10 year old Westy out of a can? As for the designs I’m to much of a beer geek to care much about how the container looks. (although I did appreciate the gutted deer in the window on bigskys biere de noel) Good luck with your article and prost!
I’ve been very impressed with Big Sky Brewing Company’s new cans. I’m with Barb on design being a very low priority. I’m much more concerned about the quality of beer in the can than what the can looks like. Big Sky’s investment in state of the art technology has certainly paid off on the quality side. I’m a true can convert. It is hard to argue for bottles when you have such a significant environmental upside and no quality downside with cans. If there were a larger variety of craft beer in high quality cans, I’d probably never buy bottles.