There is a growing number of craft breweries opting to package their beer in aluminum cans. In fact, Canfest, The Reno International Canned Beer Festival takes place this weekend in Reno, NV.
The reasons make sense. Two of the biggest enemies to the quality of beer are oxygen and light. Aluminum cans offer superior protection for each of these, much better than glass bottles.
But, canned beer still has a reputation as being the container of choice for cheap beer. I think some of this has to do with the typical drinking habits of beer drinkers. A lot of people equate canned beer with a metallic taste. Well, if you drink out of the can as opposed to pouring it into a glass, that’s going to happen. I know that before The Beer Goddess became a beer connoisseur, she wouldn’t drink a canned beer. I think it was the introduction of Guinness Draught in a can a few years ago that helped influence her thinking. So don’t be afraid to try beer in a can. Just pour it before drinking!
You can read an article about canned beer from the Reno News and Review here.
NPR had a story about craft beer in cans a few weeks ago. You can read that story here.