Bottles vs. Cans

It just doesn't seem right.  Cans are synonymous with macro-brewed skunk water.  Oh, now I've gone and done it, I've just stirred everything right up!  Yes I have.  I'm a bit of a purist and it just doesn't seem right to drink a handcrafted beer out of anything but a bottle or sip the foamy head off of a freshly tapped pint.

Enter the aluminum can revolution.  A few years ago small craft breweries like Oskar Blues Brewery of Longmont, CO and Caldera Brewing of Ashland, OR ventured into uncharted territory by packaging craft beer in aluminum cans.

Much to my chagrin they nay-sayers have been somewhat silenced by the now 52 + craft breweries packaging their beverages in aluminum cans, and yes, there are even rumors of Dogfish packaging the coveted 60 minute IPA in a can within the next year.

I will admit that after a little research, it would appear conclusive that the aluminum packaging does offer some inherent benefits.  First and foremost, the aluminum does reduce a breweries carbon-footprint, cans do get colder, faster and they do protect their cargo from both light and oxygen which can damage the taste.

While the thought does need to continue to marinate with me for a while, I may just consider tossing a couple of cans of Anderson Valley Brewing, Summer Solstice in my backpack or in the bottom of my canoe this summer, just to give it a try.

Cheers