I recently blogged my thoughts on Consumer Reports’ ratings of light beers and there was a sidebar comment they made in the article about cans that is more so true than I think they realized. Consumer Reports said,

Do not shun cans. They might not be trendy, but they protect beer from light and tend to keep it fresh longer.

I agree completely, do not shun cans, but actually they are trendy and are working their way to being commonly accepted as a better way to package beer. Cans do a great job of keeping out sunlight, a nemesis to beer where yeast and the alpha acids from hops reacts to sunlight creating off-flavors and in particular, the skunked taste. For more in-depth reading on skunked beer, refer to Al’s blog entry and my other entry.

But cans are doing even more than just keeping out sunlight. They are lighter, more compact, chill faster, and are cooler friendly. Others may add that cans are accepted in places like beaches because they don’t shatter like glass, but I’m still going to pour my beer into a glass if at all possible. Also, the special lining inside the can prevents the beer from coming in contact with the metal, though some argue the lining can have imperfections that are self defeating.

It seems to me, however, the biggest trend in cans is to use the Guinness invented nitrogen widget to nitrogenate your beer when opened, instead of carbonate. Nitrogen gives beer a different texture because of the smaller bubbles, making it smoother, creamier and thicker; which is something you could only previously get on draft. (The density also helps in pouring a black and tan.)

Guinness started the trend, but now there are many imported British beers that come in the nitrogen widget cans, including Ruddles County English Pub Ale, Old Speckled Hen, Young’s Double Chocolate Stout and many others, making for some very tasty pub style ales available from the store shelf.

Also check out Oskar Blues, they have a video story about their choice to use cans instead of bottles which is worth a watch. (Not to mention their mighty tasty beers)

So, yes… do not shun cans!