Can It!: Decibel 70, August 2010

It’s likely that most people’s first beer experience involved a can, and it probably wasn’t anything savored much beyond the intoxicating effect it offered. The can is the ubiquitous delivery system in the world of nasty/tasteless, adjunct-laden pale American lagers. Thus, many craft-beer drinkers have a natural aversion to drinking any brew out of a can. We, as staunch a fine beer-drinker as they come. would like to suggest that perhaps this particular aluminum phobia needs to be re-evaluated. So, we’ve enlisted some of America’s finest craft brewers to help make our point. Pay attention.

Craft beer in cans is better than bottles because it is convenient, cools quicker, takes up less space, will not shatter, has a third of the carbon footprint and can be crushed on your forehead. Craft beer in cans is just cool.
Brian O’Reilly, Sly Fox brewmaster
Royersford, PA

The only place for craft beer is in a can—year round, man. Cans keep beer fresher longer while minimizing the impact on Ma Nature. [Plus], highly portable, unbreakable cans enable craft beer lovers to easily enjoy great beer in places where glass bottles are not welcome or allowed: trailside, boat, backpacks, the beach, pool, river, slope, tub, golf course and anywhere on Mother Nature’s green planet.
Chad Melis, Oskar Blues marketing director
Longmont, CO

Top 5 outta 666 reasons why craft beer is better in a can
5) No UV light exposure
4) Cans are metal
3) Less risk to band from exposure to thrown objects
2) Shotgun!
1) Easily and safely crushed in the pit
Todd Haug, Surly brewmaster/Powermad guitarist
Minneapolis, MN

The best thing about craft beer in cans is that you can take great beer with you when you're doing things that you can't bring glass for. So if you're having sex in a canoe, your beer doesn't have to be similar. (Fucking close to water, that is.)
Daniel Kahn, Buckbean brewmaster
Reno, NV

These are, of course not the only craft brewers to can their beers, but they are some of the higher profile proponents of it. Others to look for this summer include offerings from: Uncommon, 21st Amendment, Southern Star, New Belgium, Half Acre, Sun King, Big Sky and Ska. Buckbean also hosts an annual Canfest in Reno, celebrating fine beer in a can.

In a blind tasting Adem Tepedelen was unable to distinguish canned beer from bottled beer. So there.