Why do some folks like beer from a can?

[LesClaypool]

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.

I drink craft beers from the can, and I disagree, bottled beers taste overwhelmingly better than their canned counterparts.

I don't know why, and I know canned is SUPPOSED TO taste better and be fresher...but it doesn't and it isn't.

Jai Alai IPA
Magic Hat # 9
Sweetwater 420
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Admittedly these are all pretty big "craft" beers...one could even argue they're not craft at all anymore, but I've had all those in cans in the last 30 days and none of them taste as good as those same beers in a bottle to me, and honestly Sierra Nevada tasted downright bad in a can. I won't buy it again that way.

 

[Rhino_nole]

I drink craft beers from the can, and I disagree, bottled beers taste overwhelmingly better than their canned counterparts.

I don't know why, and I know canned is SUPPOSED TO taste better and be fresher...but it doesn't and it isn't.

Jai Alai IPA
Magic Hat # 9
Sweetwater 420
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Admittedly these are all pretty big "craft" beers...one could even argue they're not craft at all anymore, but I've had all those in cans in the last 30 days and none of them taste as good as those same beers in a bottle to me, and honestly Sierra Nevada tasted downright bad in a can. I won't buy it again that way.

Their counterparts? Sure, the old Jai Alai IPA did taste better in the bottle but they also started mass producing more so I'm not sure I can blame it on the transition (from bottle to can). I have a handful of go-to beers that I'd have my wife pick up for me if she was out, Bell's Two Hearted Ale or Dog Fish 60 Minute IPA. The 60 m IPA started mass producing and selling their bottle beers in Wal-Marts. I had a 6 pack directly from the brewery and a 6 pack from Wal-Mart, the difference was staggering (in the awfulness from the Wal-Mart 6 pack).

I'm not talking counterparts, I'm talking the quality of specific craft beers in comparison to similar styles - Ten FIDY is a fantastic stout and is on par w/ highly regarded stouts in bottles like I mentioned.

I can't stand any of Magic Hats beers, I haven't had Sweetwater 420 in a can so I can't compare and I haven't touched a SN in nearly a decade.

I pour most of my beers into glassware but if there's beer traditionally canned in comparison to bottle beers of the same style, it all comes down to taste for the most part. I doubt most of us normal schmucks could tell the difference. We probably could b/w beers that were once bottled and now are in cans but there might be other factors tossed in.

 

[TexSkills]

Sure, the old Jai Alai IPA did taste better in the bottle but they also started mass producing more so I'm not sure I can blame it on the transition (from bottle to can).

Could have something to do with the fact that Cigar City outsourced production of Jai Alai to a contract brewing group called Brew Hub. It's a huge facility off I-4 in Lakeland.

 

[FSU&WFU Grad]

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....

I like drinking draft from a growler

 

[Fijimn]

Lone Star tall boys are the beer of choice on the river. I will say that Shiner Bock from a bottle is the only way to go when eating bbq.

 

[Rhino_nole]

Could have something to do with the fact that Cigar City outsourced production of Jai Alai to a contract brewing group called Brew Hub. It's a huge facility off I-4 in Lakeland.

Interesting. I didn't know they moved production of Jai Alai. It's their biggest seller?

 

[TexSkills]

Interesting. I didn't know they moved production of Jai Alai. It's their biggest seller?

Jai Alai is their biggest one. Apparently, the moved all of their big sellers (Jai Alai, Maduro & Florida Cracker) over to these people. This Brew Hub group also brews Orange Blossom Pilsner and for BJs Brewhouses.

http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/article...-helps-craft-beer-makers-expand-to-new-cities

 

[SeaPA]

Could have something to do with the fact that Cigar City outsourced production of Jai Alai to a contract brewing group called Brew Hub. It's a huge facility off I-4 in Lakeland.

I don't think the Brew Hub setup is really "outsourced production" or "contract brewing" - at least not as I'd define those terms. With Brew Hub, the craft brewer essentially leases the Brew Hub facility for a certain amount of time/number of days/amount of quantity produced; the craft brewer oversees the operation during that time. They are essentially just using Brew Hub's building and brewing equipment.

To me, that isn't contract brewing or outsourcing. IMO, contract brewing would be where Craft Inc signs a deal with a big brewer, gives them a recipe, and tells them "send me back a bunch of beer" - without having control over how the process gets done. In that regard, they're essentially buying somebody else's beer & selling it as if it is theirs.

 

[tbdnole_70_08]

For me, it depends on the type of beer I'm drinking. I will only drink cheap domestics out of a can and I only drink imports out of a bottle. Interestingly enough, I have no preference when it comes to craft beers. I do prefer draft over bottles or cans. To me it's just a taste thing, but the preference is so strong that I refuse to drink domestic bottles or import cans unless I'm being polite to a host.

 

[TexSkills]

I don't think the Brew Hub setup is really "outsourced production" or "contract brewing" - at least not as I'd define those terms. With Brew Hub, the craft brewer essentially leases the Brew Hub facility for a certain amount of time/number of days/amount of quantity produced; the craft brewer oversees the operation during that time. They are essentially just using Brew Hub's building and brewing equipment.

To me, that isn't contract brewing or outsourcing. IMO, contract brewing would be where Craft Inc signs a deal with a big brewer, gives them a recipe, and tells them "send me back a bunch of beer" - without having control over how the process gets done. In that regard, they're essentially buying somebody else's beer & selling it as if it is theirs.

I see what you're saying and there are probably craft outfits that do maintain control over their product, like Cigar City. From the various articles I've seen about this deal, I know Cigar City maintains a strict quality control on the beer that Brew Hub puts out but I don't know if it is all sourced and brewed completely by Brew Hub staff. To me that would still qualify as contract brewing. All you're doing is maintaining the QC process while someone else brews your beer.

If what I read about these Brew Hub group is correct, they do offer contract brewing and I'm sure they have customers, like a BJs Brewhouse, that utilize the contract brewing model.

 

[Bav803]

Isn't draft beer just beer that is in a really big can?

I prefer cans. To me, tastes better, easier to transport, dispose of, etc.

 

[321Nole]

Sometimes I slum it and want to drink piss beer from a can. Just last week I sent my wife out to buy me some Budweiser and got pissed off when she bought me bottles. The can in a coozie with an insult written in bubble letters completes the ruse that I'm just a good ole boy.

I do that once or twice a year.

Otherwise cans are actually more portable and are better in situations like the beach, boating, church...

 

[Nole Daddy]

I definitely prefer beer in a bottle, but I drink canned beer if I am out on the boat.

 

[SoddyNole]

Try this with your fancy shmancy bottled beer.

 

[2noles1cup]

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.

They tell you this....however, cans and the canning process is probably cheaper than bottling beer.

 

[DanC78]

They tell you this....however, cans and the canning process is probably cheaper than bottling beer.

I'm with Cups on this...it's a better margin play. Once they get more room on the shelves maybe they will have options, but until then they are looking at ways to increase profits.

And for what it's worth...beer does not taste fresher in a can to me. I have some BL I bought a month or so ago for a BBQ and they all feel like mush now.

 

[Rhino_nole]

I'm with Cups on this...it's a better margin play. Once they get more room on the shelves maybe they will have issues, but until then they are looking at ways to increase profits.

And for what it's worth...beer does not taste fresher in a can to me. I have some BL I bought a month or so ago for BBQ and they now feel like mush.

Regardless, cans still block out light better than amber bottles.

 

[DanC78]

Regardless, cans still block out light better than amber bottles.

Isn't more about keeping air out than light in?

 

[MIKE_G]

Regardless, cans still block out light better than amber bottles.

Yeah, but they let the metal taste in.

 

[On Iowa]

Yeah, but they let the metal taste in.

Only if you drink it out of the can. The inside of a can is lined with plastic. The only place there's contact with metal is when you put your mouth on the can. Pour your beer into a glass and it won't taste like metal.

 

[2noles1cup]

Yeah, but they let the metal taste in.

If you're that much of a snob about it, then so be it. I don't see why it matters really. My favorite beer right now is in a can. Wild Heaven Emergency Drinking Beer.

 

[FreeFlyNole]

Bottles are for sissies.

 

[2noles1cup]

Bottles are for sissies.

Unless it's chock full of whiskey.

 

[Rhino_nole]

Isn't more about keeping air out than light in?

I use amber glass vials in my lab to limit light exposure because even minuscule light can cause a reaction and increasingly "age" the chemical or reagent or solvent but they still let light in. Metal corrodes highly concentrated solvents and reagents. If we could use metal we would but it's too reactive to other elements. Beer is only corrosive to my brain cells.

 

[mnole03]

They fixed the lining in cans a while ago. The aluminum doesn't impact the taste of the beer inside the can. Cans are better sealed and keep out light. They maintain better carbonation and taste. You can see it when pouring and in the head. There are a number of brewers that do both bottles and cans, so you can compare apples to apples.

There's a reason so many top brewers moved to cans.

 

[hatsbo]

Me too

Me three, never drink cans unless I'm cornered!

 

[TexSkills]

They tell you this....however, cans and the canning process is probably cheaper than bottling beer.

I have no doubt it's cheaper. Dual benefit for canning.

 

[PoopandBoogers]

 

[cmanole]

And for what it's worth...beer does not taste fresher in a can to me. I have some BL I bought a month or so ago for a BBQ and they all feel like mush now.

That's all in your head bro. Pour that Dub Light in a frosty cold mug and enjoy...

 

[FSUTribe76]

That's all in your head bro. Pour that Dub Light in a frosty cold mug and enjoy...

I almost never drink corn adjunct American "lagers", but when I do its mixed with lemonade or grapefruit juice in a shandy. I doubt they're bad enough that they can't be fixed like above. I forgot about a small cloth cooler in my trunk for almost a month (thanks to almost back to back trips not using my car) and there were cans of the champagne of beers (Miller High Life) sitting in my trunk in Florida's heat for other a month. Popped them in the fridge and made shandies and couldn't tell the difference. If they were quality beers then yeah, I'm sure the flavor out there cooking would be destroyed. But an American p*%s beer? Indestructible.

 

[2noles1cup]

Lettuce discuss pouring beer out of a bottle or can into a glass.

I don't like to do this. Only time I do this is:

-Japanese sushi or steakhouse, for some odd reason(Kirin and ichiban)
-anywhere where drinking isn't allowed and you need to sneak it.
-roadies

I just don't understand pouring beer out of an already cold glass or can into a chilled glass.

 

[321Nole]

If you're drinking a good beer, pouring it into a glass lets it release its aroma. Sounds stupid, but if you ever did the trick where you hold your nose and try to guess what you're eating you'll understand.

If I'm just drinking Miller Lite it's straight outta the can though.

 

[MIKE_G]

If you're drinking a good beer, pouring it into a glass lets it release its aroma. Sounds stupid, but if you ever did the trick where you hold your nose and try to guess what you're eating you'll understand.

Don't even bother. Dude probably eats his Chef-Boyardee out of the can too.

 

[KevNole]

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....

I hate drinking beer from a can. I used to when I was younger. I think in m mind the can taste comes out. I don't drink anything but bottle or a good draft.
In the old days, when I drank can beer, the more I drank, the quicker i got sick of beer or a yukki un-explainable feeling. Even the premium or better beers in a can taste different-worse to me.

 

[cmanole]

Lettuce discuss pouring beer out of a bottle or can into a glass.

I don't like to do this. Only time I do this is:

-Japanese sushi or steakhouse, for some odd reason(Kirin and ichiban)
-anywhere where drinking isn't allowed and you need to sneak it.
-roadies

I just don't understand pouring beer out of an already cold glass or can into a chilled glass.

I don't do it all the time but when it's an option I always do it...

 

[SeaPA]

I almost never drink corn adjunct American "lagers", but when I do its mixed with lemonade or grapefruit juice in a shandy. I doubt they're bad enough that they can't be fixed like above. I forgot about a small cloth cooler in my trunk for almost a month (thanks to almost back to back trips not using my car) and there were cans of the champagne of beers (Miller High Life) sitting in my trunk in Florida's heat for other a month. Popped them in the fridge and made shandies and couldn't tell the difference. If they were quality beers then yeah, I'm sure the flavor out there cooking would be destroyed. But an American p*%s beer? Indestructible.

If you like darker, stronger tasting beers, it is entirely possible that you'd find that baking them in the trunk would improve the flavor of Bud, Miller, or the typical mass-produced American brewery products.

Years back, when A/B came out with the "born-on date" marketing gimmick, they were running a promotion for it in the hospitality house at Busch Gardens. Basic premise was this - they poured you a half-glass of beer from two different bottles. Everyone tried the two samples & indicated which they preferred. Most chose sample A, I and a few others chose B. After everyone picked their preference, the guy explained the "born-on dating" thing & how Sample A was fresh, Sample B had been subjected to temperature extremes (both very cold and very hot) to mimic the changes that would take place when beers were shipped, shelved, warehoused over an extended period. A few people razzed me for liking "old" beer; the brewmaster defended me a bit & surmised that I probably preferred stouts & heavier ales - to which I replied, "yeah my preferred beer is Guinness."

 

[KitingHigh]

I know I'm late, and most of this has probably been covered,but here you go.

Cans actually preserve the beer better. Reasons have been covered already.
Cans are lined. The is no aluminum getting into the beer.
Cans are more convienently shaped. More fit in the cooler. Coozy covers most of the can.
On a boat or at the pool, cans are much safer.

 

[OrlandNole]

I drink black coffee from a can and look disapprovingly at others.

Seriously, though, cold coffee in Japan is all the rage available in a vending machine (along with beer) on every street corner.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I buy bottles and pour into a glass. Even if I'm sitting on my deck I'll use a glass.

 

[seminoledq]

I buy beer in cans since it is fresher and the light has been kept out. But then I pour it in to a bottle because bottled beer tastes better.