Cans or Bottles?

the beer revolu

What is the verdict here on canned beer.
Personally, I never buy cans.
Not sure if I can taste the difference (must do a test) but there's something about a can of beer that just doesn't appeal to me.

What do the experts say?

Thomas_S_Hunterson

Well cans are bigger than you're average bottle, and weigh less, but if I can't pour into a glass, I'll generally go with a bottle.

oblivious

pros side of cans

fully resistant to oxygen and light

lighter in weight

More resistance to damage

Down side of can's

very expensive to run a canning line and much more involved compared to a bottling live

can't naturally condition the beer, there for no real ale, Trappist beers and krausened hefeweizens !

not generally excisable to small brewers, more likely to see a bigger rang in craft beer in bottles as small bottling unite can be easily acquired

the beer revolu

Why can't beer be can conditioned?
Is it a pressure issue?

the beer revolu

Also, I wonder about the resistance to damage.
Ever see a damaged container of cans?
Not a pretty sight or smell.
The cans can split and leak if they are maltreated or if too many pallets are stacked up on top of each other.

oblivious

the beer revolu wrote: »

Ever see a damaged container of cans?
Not a pretty sight or smell.

either is one of bottles is would suspect,

Here is an interesting thread from the guys who set up the 21th amendment in San Fran

http://thebeerguys.blogspot.com/2006/06/cans-container-of-beer.html

Latchy

Bottles for me every time although it's best to pour your contents into a glass if possible instead of drinking from neck .

shanel23

Bottles for me every time ! Hate drinking out of a can

the beer revolu

Here is an interesting thread from the guys who set up the 21th amendment in San Fran

http://thebeerguys.blogspot.com/2006/06/cans-container-of-beer.html[/quote]

That certainly is an interesting thread, thanks, but I'm still left wondering about the possibility of can conditioned beer.

JIZZLORD

i agree with the can as a container argument. I would still mainly drink bottle conditioned beers though because i prefer them. That's not to say i'd ever refuse a can if offered, i regularly drink cans as the student lifestyle often makes a 6 pack of tuborg at a house party necesary

Redpunto

Bottles but saying that I'm not too bothered as long as theres beer in it:D

mildews

Cans, cos they're BIgger:rolleyes:

the beer revolu

the beer revolu wrote: »

Also, I wonder about the resistance to damage.
Ever see a damaged container of cans?
Not a pretty sight or smell.
The cans can split and leak if they are maltreated or if too many pallets are stacked up on top of each other.

Damaged cider can are the worst. The smell is unbelievable! Damaged cans of guinness are a close second.
Bottles all the way. It's been a long time since I've bought any canned beer.

JIZZLORD

mildews wrote: »

Cans, cos they're BIgger:rolleyes:

what about 500 ml bottles of beer?

mildews

JIZZLORD wrote: »

what about 500 ml bottles of beer?

What about these then? http://beergeek.stores.yahoo.net/5literkegcans.html
Now thats a BIG can

boardsy

So the jury's still out on can-conditioning? A little research has just disabused me of my notion that bottle-conditioning involved adding yeast to the bottle - in fact it's just not removing the yeast already there in the brewing, according to this. So assuming that the brewing is done in steel caskets (big cans after all), doesn't this imply that there's no real reason why it couldn't be can-conditioned?

But I think beer bottle bias is a bit like wine cork-screwing - it looks and feels nice, tactile, traditional, part of the whole ritual; so what if screw-tops are more efficient and dependable? Maybe that's reason enough to continue with bottled beer. But of course there's also not much good beer available in cans - if that were to change, then maybe the anti-can bias would change too. But only on condition (pun intended) that it be poured into a glass.

oblivious

boardsy wrote: »

So the jury's still out on can-conditioning? A little research has just disabused me of my notion that bottle-conditioning involved adding yeast to the bottle - in fact it's just not removing the yeast already there in the brewing, according to this. So assuming that the brewing is done in steel caskets (big cans after all), doesn't this imply that there's no real reason why it couldn't be can-conditioned?

cask are not cans, different process as the pressures are no where near and its not full sealed system or at least equivalent of a can

I naturally condition all my home brew in corny kegs, like this system

I use pressure higher than cask conditioned beer, for a few reasons, but its still naturally conditioned. I think the issue about conditioning in cans is that the they system to date are designed for lager, so the the beer is filtered/pasteurized and re charged with with so there for removing the possibility of naturally conditioning.

Who knows down the road and best bet in the US some will design a system that can

oblivious

boardsy wrote: »

A little research has just disabused me of my notion that bottle-conditioning involved adding yeast to the bottle - in fact it's just not removing the yeast already there in the brewing,

it can be both, all bottle conditioned/naturally conditioned mean is the beer carbonate in the vessel it will be served from/ the yeast can be carried for the initial fermentation or added in the from of krausening. a German method where fresh fermenting wort is added to the beer to produce the necessary CO2

boardsy

Thanks for the info, oblivious!

oblivious

boardsy wrote: »

Thanks for the info, oblivious!

no worries:)

canned craft beer is starting to become big in the US, so we will probably start to see more of it over the next few years

the beer revolu

Well I guess I learned to like the screw cap on wine (some really good Kiwi and Aussie wine with Stelvin closures) so maybe I could embrace cans.
That is if we ever get to the bottom of the conditioning thing.

Elem

Bottles.. without a doubt

gurramok

Where bottles of an ale or stout cannot be obtained, i think the widget that is used in cans is a good substitute to get that creamy head!

horsecrap

i walk into an off-licence....i go up to da fridge, i see 6pack bottles or 6pack cans.
two things come into my head.
1. theres more beer in cans
2. do i have a fcking bottle opener at home?!!

checkout.
our winner is---CANS!

Holsten

Cans here, simply cause you'll get more beer for your money.

I'd usually put the stuff into a glass anyway.

im...LOST

I think stuff in cans tastes nicer.