Why do some folks like beer from a can?

[GwinnettNole]

In the coffee thread I posted about some guys in the neighborhood (generally SEC southern types) that only drink beer from the can. I've noticed this from my wife's family who are deeply southern. It's usually Coors lite or Millers or something like that.

I've tried it-- when drinking with the family and I don't get it. These aren't people that can only afford caned beer. There is no comparison in my mind when drinking from a bottle vs can. Bottle wins hands down all the time. Is this some cultural thing?

And I'm not bigot towards southerners-- I'm generally conservative and like college football .... just trying to understand the can mentality. Maybe it's just the neighbors and wife's family....

 

[DanC78]

I do not know the answer to your question.

 

[Fijimn]

Technically, canned beer should. Better, fresher beer because it blocks out the sun. Several of the local brews are in cans or on tap

 

[TexSkills]

Craft breweries have moved toward canning their beer instead of bottling it. As Fiji said, it keeps beer fresher because it blocks out the sun.

 

[Rhino_nole]

A lot of top end craft beers are slowly transitioning to canned beers (local breweries like Cigar City - Georgia's own Creature Comforts - one of the best breweries out there Oskar Blues [that Ten Fidy is fantastic] all use cans), it's cheaper and preserves the "freshness" better. It also limits the chemical reaction occurring in the mixture by limiting light exposure. Some are only canning specific brews and batches others will keep them in bottles.

It's still an adjustment but there's nothing wrong w/ canned beers.

 

[PoopandBoogers]

Nothing wrong with sitting on the beach, boat, or tailgate slammin some bluegills or redbellies.

Several craft breweries are opting to serve in cans exclusively these days. Also less oxygen and light get through, hell draft beer is stored in metal kegs right? They say there us no taste difference, so do a side by side taste test with 2 of the same beers in pint glasses and see if you can tell.
Portability and legality come into play too, easier to carry and many places don't allow glass containers.

But I do know the type you're talking about that use the can as a badge of honor, usually hipsters and weekend warrior rednecks.

 

[squiffynole]

Canned beer is the fisherman's friend.

 

[Rhino_nole]

 

[DanC78]

A lot of top end craft beers are slowly transitioning to canned beers (local breweries like Cigar City - Georgia's own Creature Comforts - one of the best breweries out there Oskar Blues [that Ten Fidy is fantastic] all use cans), it's cheaper and preserves the "freshness" better. It also limits the chemical reaction occurring in the mixture by limiting light exposure. Some are only canning specific brews and batches others will keep them in bottles.

It's still an adjustment but there's nothing wrong w/ canned beers.

That is not why the people he is talking about drink from a can....at least, I don't believe that is why. But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe they do drink enough BL or ML to know that it's fresher in a can.

I like bottles because they stay colder and seem to get colder than cans....important when drinking in FL. I use a mug when inside...or prefer to at least.

When on the boat or outdoors and will be drinking a lot of beer I will go cans and drink CL, BL, or ML. Its all for speed on those days.

 

[FSU_Nole_Girl]

I only drink bottles because I think it tastes better than cans.

 

[NoleManDan17]

As everyone has stated, cans are the best way of storing beer. However, they are probably the worst way to drink out of. The aluminum smell affects the taste. Canned and bottled beers should be poured into a glass to release the carbonation and bring out the aroma.

To answer your question, I think the demographic your referring to enjoys the 'blue collar' aspect of sitting around and drinking cheap beer out of a can.

 

[MIKE_G]

As everyone has stated, cans are the best way of storing beer. However, they are probably the worst way to drink out of. The aluminum smell affects the taste. Canned and bottled beers should be poured into a glass to release the carbonation and bring out the aroma.

To answer your question, I think the demographic your referring to enjoys the 'blue collar' aspect of sitting around and drinking cheap beer out of a can.

This. I don't typically buy canned beers, but it doesn't really matter as I pour whatever I buy into a glass prior to drinking it. I haven't really drank from the can or bottle since college partying days. I just think it tastes better when you pour it and let it breathe a little.

 

[GwinnettNole]

I only drink bottles because I think it tastes better than cans.

Me too

 

[GwinnettNole]

Nothing wrong with sitting on the beach, boat, or tailgate slammin some bluegills or redbellies.

Several craft breweries are opting to serve in cans exclusively these days. Also less oxygen and light get through, hell draft beer is stored in metal kegs right? They say there us no taste difference, so do a side by side taste test with 2 of the same beers in pint glasses and see if you can tell.
Portability and legality come into play too, easier to carry and many places don't allow glass containers.

But I do know the type you're talking about that use the can as a badge of honor, usually hipsters and weekend warrior rednecks.

Interesting info. But like I said these guys would fall into the redneck category-- I don't think they would be drinking the micro brews. Rather it's coors or miller from the can...

I also agree whoever posted that the aluminum from the can makes the beer taste strange to me. I never get this with draft or from the bottle. Maybe it's mental with me......

 

[SeaPA]

I know most brewers heavily push the "beer quality" of cans over bottles based on the light & oxygen issues, but I strongly believe that their primary reason for moving more to cans over bottles is cost. It's much cheaper to can than bottle, across the board - from initial packaging, to shipping, to warehousing, to displaying on the store shelves.

I understand that there is truth to the light & oxygen issues, I just think the reason is much $impler and le$$ $cientific.

 

[FSUTribe76]

As everyone has stated, cans are the best way of storing beer. However, they are probably the worst way to drink out of. The aluminum smell affects the taste. Canned and bottled beers should be poured into a glass to release the carbonation and bring out the aroma.

To answer your question, I think the demographic your referring to enjoys the 'blue collar' aspect of sitting around and drinking cheap beer out of a can.

That and the nasty taste of most American corn adjunct "lagers" actually taste better with the aluminum flavor added.

 

[GwinnettNole]

Hipsters ordering microbrews
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/13/hipsters-beer_n_4590592.html

 

[TarponSpringsNole]

Nothing like a cold can of Stroh's on a hot summer day.
































Not really.

 

[spreadman]

I only drink bottles because I think it tastes better than cans.

 

[West Duval Nole]

If drinking beer or anything from a can, you may want to clean the top before opening and drinking. There can be some pretty nasty stuff on there unless you like the flavor it adds to your beverage. And drinking from a can does seem to add an aluminum flavor that I do not prefer. Ideally I would pour into a mug. But if I do not have a mug, I would prefer to drink from a bottle and therefore leans towards buying in a bottle if there is an option.

 

[nolejam99]

This is based on no research what so ever other than personal experience. But drinking out of a can fits a lot of the southern lifestyle activities. Cans are easier to transport, take up less room in a cooler, and used to cost less. For example many pools or water based activities don't allow glass. Breaking a beer bottle on a boat sucks. Those are a few reasons I can think of.

 

[TexSkills]

One of my peers at work is based out of ATL. She brought me some of the Tropicalia last time she drove through town. I haven't cracked it yet but I've heard its a good beer.

 

[TexSkills]

Nothing like a cold can of Stroh's on a hot summer day.
































Not really.

Actually, I don't think Strohs is all that bad if you're outside on a hot summer day or at the lake/beach. On our last trip to Northern Minnesota, my father-in-law bought a bunch of Stroh's. Up to that point, I had never had Stroh's in my life. It wasn't too bad.

 

[noleclone2]

I am a fan of the can.

 

[DanC78]

This reminds of the waiter at a restaurant trying to tell me that a bottle cap on a wine bottle is better than a cork....or the plastic cork being better than the corky cork.

I get it is scientifically better...but I don't like spending a $60 plus on a wine that comes with plastic cork....I just don't like it.

 

[jamnolfin]

I only drink beer from a glass, I don't drink from bottle or cans unless I'm at a tailgate or something like that. I buy cans because they seem to hold freshness longer and keep frozen mugs and glasses at home.

 

[Fijimn]

Bud Lit Michelada tall boy (or two) in the morning before fishing....mmmmm.....not much better

 

[Rhino_nole]

One of my peers at work is based out of ATL. She brought me some of the Tropicalia last time she drove through town. I haven't cracked it yet but I've heard its a good beer.

I haven't had any beers from Creature Comfort yet but all the Georgians sware it's the greatest. Think it's a bit of regional bias, even though Sweet Water is a really good too. I need to get my hands on some Tropicalia soon.

 

[BarryB1081]

Love the Miller Lite pint cans, with wide mouth and screw lid for outdoor stuff.

 

[Rhino_nole]

This reminds of the waiter at a restaurant trying to tell me that a bottle cap on a wine bottle is better than a cork....or the plastic cork being better than the corky cork.

I get it is scientifically better...but I don't like spending a $60 plus on a wine that comes with plastic cork....I just don't like it.

In terms of craft brews in cans, I had the same opinion (low end poor quality) but there's no way you can have a Oskar Blues Ten FIDY and not tell me how got damn good it is. Bell's Brewery makes an Expedition Stout out of bottle, one of my favorites (same with Old Rasputin by North Coast) and all of them are equally phenomenal regardless of the bottle vs can debate.

 

[TexSkills]

In terms of craft brews in cans, I had the same opinion (low end poor quality) but there's no way you can have a Oskar Blues Ten FIDY and not tell me how got damn good it is. Bell's Brewery makes an Expedition Stout out of bottle, one of my favorites (same with Old Rasputin by North Coast) and all of them are equally phenomenal regardless of the bottle vs can debate.

Oskar Blues Ten Fidy pours like 10-W-30 but it tastes incredible.

 

[seminoledq]

I typically pour canned beer into a glass but drink straight from a bottle. Great beer now comes in cans as often as it does bottles so I think the OP's argument isn't so much cans vs bottles but Coors Light/Miller Light vs. higher quality beers.

 

[TripTychTwo]

I haven't had any beers from Creature Comfort yet but all the Georgians sware it's the greatest. Think it's a bit of regional bias, even though Sweet Water is a really good too. I need to get my hands on some Tropicalia soon.

Tropicalia is very good. It isn't Grapefruit Sculpin, Centennial, or Jai Lai good, but it's probably one of the best beers made in Georgia.

Coors light in a can is one of the best beers out there.

 

[seminoledq]

Oskar Blues Ten Fidy pours like 10-W-30 but it tastes incredible.

Oskar Blues is in my backyard but I haven't tried that one yet.

 

[LT4PLY]

I asked a friend of mine this question directly. His answer is that the cans are simply more compact, easier to transport and easier to dispose of. A whole trashbag full of cans weighs nothing and they fit in the fridge better to begin with Vs. the taller clunkier bottles.

 

[On Iowa]

If you aren't a big craft beer person and want to try a great "gateway" craft beer, get the Oskar Blues Mama's Little Yella Pils. It's a pilsner, but very well done, the way it's supposed to be.

Regarding the can vs. bottle debate, the tighter seal and lack of light striking certainly make them a better quality, but the biggest reason for canning is money, as many have said. Canning lines are cheaper, for start. Cans are also a more compact shape, meaning more can fit on the truck, they're lighter, so they cost less to move, and they don't break, so there's less collateral damage during shipping. All good reasons for canning.

 

[GwinnettNole]

I typically pour canned beer into a glass but drink straight from a bottle. Great beer now comes in cans as often as it does bottles so I think the OP's argument isn't so much cans vs bottles but Coors Light/Miller Light vs. higher quality beers.

I guess I'm behind the times.

Does Pabst Blue Ribbon now taste good in a can? Anyone...?

 

[On Iowa]

I guess I'm behind the times.

Does Pabst Blue Ribbon now taste good in a can? Anyone...?

No, but you'll look cool drinking it with your cats' eye glasses, skinny jeans, flannel shirt, and beard.

 

[cmanole]

I like some beers better in a bottle and some better in the can and some it doesn't matter. Corona for example tastes great out of the bottle but not so great out of the can. Heineken is the same way. Coors Light and other domestic light beers on the other hand taste better out of the can than the bottle. They seems to have more flavor to me. Ones that don't make a difference to me whether they are in a bottle or a can are New Castle, Fosters and some others. Draft beer trumps all though if they're pouring it through clean lines into a ice cold mug...

 

[BelemNole]

I like my beer cold. The rest doesn't matter.