# A new trend...? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Homebrew Discussion\ **Created:** [December 13, 2011, 8:42pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651 "2011-12-13T20:42:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bluesman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@bluesman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/bluesman)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 8:42pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/1 "2011-12-13T20:42:43Z")
I’m seeing this more and more… > **[Pics Of Sierra Nevada Cans Surface - Beer Street Journal](http://beerstreetjournal.com/pic-of-sierra-nevada-cans-surface/)** > > Sierra Nevada will release cans next year. There was a slight delay, pushing the beer release into February of 2012.  By the looks of it, the canning as ---
**Author:** ![kit\_b](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/kit_b/32/13535_2.png) [@kit\_b](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/kit_b)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 9:00pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/2 "2011-12-13T21:00:48Z")
Torpedo tallboys!? Marvelous!!! The concept still seems strange to me. For years, it seemed folks ran from the cans. ---
**Author:** ![slowbrew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/slowbrew/32/8927_2.png) [@slowbrew](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/slowbrew)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 9:07pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/3 "2011-12-13T21:07:57Z")
> [@](#): > > Torpedo tallboys!? > Marvelous!!! > > The concept still seems strange to me. > For years, it seemed folks ran from the cans. I’ve always found it ironic that all the small players ran away from cans.  The can is actually a much better storage device than a brown bottle.  I suppose the psychological barrier if looking like BMC was too much for microbrewers and they were likely correct about their customers expectations. It nice to think that good beer can now go with us to state parks and lakes where glass is not allowed. Paul ---
**Author:** ![kit\_b](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/kit_b/32/13535_2.png) [@kit\_b](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/kit_b)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 9:12pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/4 "2011-12-13T21:12:34Z")
I totally agree. Bottles are actually a strange investment. ---
**Author:** ![morticaixavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@morticaixavier](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/morticaixavier)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/5 "2011-12-13T21:15:28Z")
sometimes I like to drink a beer out of the bottle. I don’t like to drink out of a can. Plus I love the SN bottles for re-use. I am all good as long as they don’t stop selling bottles as well. ---
**Author:** ![a10t2](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/a10t2/32/6257_2.png) [@a10t2](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/a10t2)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 9:25pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/6 "2011-12-13T21:25:17Z")
Cans are a win-win for both the consumer and the brewery. The only downsides are the stigma associated with cans, and the expense of either replacing a bottling line, or installing a supplementary canning line. Most established craft breweries have already invested in bottling, but if I were opening a brewery today and had to choose one or the other, I’d be canning. ETA: This is probably a regional thing too. Here in CO I’d estimate that _non-canning_ breweries are in the minority. We even have a couple of can-only beer festivals. Sierra Nevada is behind the curve, although I’m happy to think about how much attention a brewery of their size will bring to cans. ---
**Author:** ![punatic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/punatic/32/13656_2.png) [@punatic](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/punatic)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 9:34pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/7 "2011-12-13T21:34:36Z")
> [@bluesman](#): > > I’m seeing this more and more… > > [Pics Of Sierra Nevada Cans Surface - Beer Street Journal](http://beerstreetjournal.com/pic-of-sierra-nevada-cans-surface/) Alright!  Bring on the Torpedo tallboys! Packing out empty bottles is a PIA.  That’s why it has become tradition on my lava expedtions to bring Guiness Draft widget cans. ---
**Author:** ![tonyp](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/tonyp/32/12198_2.png) [@tonyp](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/tonyp)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 9:42pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/8 "2011-12-13T21:42:25Z")
unfortunately as a homebrewer, you can’t clean, sanitize and re-use a can. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![bluesman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@bluesman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/bluesman)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 9:59pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/9 "2011-12-13T21:59:56Z")
> [@tonyp](#): > > unfortunately as a homebrewer, you can’t clean, sanitize and re-use a can. 😕 Good point! I can’t imagine installing a canning line in my garage… I like to serve my beer in a glass (pint, goblet, etc…) so the can vs. bottle factor won’t be…well…a factor. ---
**Author:** ![denny](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/denny/32/13092_2.png) [@denny](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/denny)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 10:15pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/10 "2011-12-13T22:15:27Z")
They were testing different cans at SM while we were there for Beer Camp.  The issue is that since the beer is at least partially carbed in the container, cans wouldn’t have their full strength when they were stacked pallet upon pallet.  They needed to find cans that could withstand the weight of pallets of cans on top of them. ![DSCN0539.jpg](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/original/1X/464606abcff906f9a92ddeaeca8a6fd9ec3c2111.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![pinnah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac8455/32.png) [@pinnah](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/pinnah)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 10:25pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/11 "2011-12-13T22:25:09Z")
> [@a10t2](#): > > Here in CO I’d estimate that _non-canning_ breweries are in the minority. We even have a couple of can-only beer festivals. Sierra Nevada is behind the curve, although I’m happy to think about how much attention a brewery of their size will bring to cans. True, didn’t the can of craftbrew start in Colorado?  Pack it in Pack it out. The tallboy is a nice addition.  I always thought an oilcan like Fosters would be cool. I love the crush, and the size of the recycle box.  Cheers to packable good beer. ---
**Author:** ![morticaixavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@morticaixavier](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/morticaixavier)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 10:26pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/12 "2011-12-13T22:26:31Z")
> [@denny](#): > > They were testing different cans at SM while we were there for Beer Camp.  The issue is that since the beer is at least partially carbed in the container, cans wouldn’t have their full strength when they were stacked pallet upon pallet.  They needed to find cans that could withstand the weight of pallets of cans on top of them. > > ![DSCN0539.jpg](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/original/1X/464606abcff906f9a92ddeaeca8a6fd9ec3c2111.jpeg) are you saying that they can condition? or are you talking about empty cans? I can see how the cans require preasure inside to contribute to the structure though. makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![punatic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/punatic/32/13656_2.png) [@punatic](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/punatic)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 10:34pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/13 "2011-12-13T22:34:12Z")
> [@denny](#): > > They were testing different cans at SM while we were there for Beer Camp.  The issue is that since the beer is at least partially carbed in the container, cans wouldn’t have their full strength when they were stacked pallet upon pallet.  They needed to find cans that could withstand the weight of pallets of cans on top of them. > > ![DSCN0539.jpg](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/original/1X/464606abcff906f9a92ddeaeca8a6fd9ec3c2111.jpeg) Since the cans are full of (essentially) water, and water is virtually incompressible, I’m surprised that this would be a problem. ---
**Author:** ![tschmidlin](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/tschmidlin/32/3857_2.png) [@tschmidlin](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/tschmidlin)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 10:37pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/14 "2011-12-13T22:37:47Z")
> [@punatic](#): > > Since the cans are full of (essentially) water, and water is virtually incompressible, I’m surprised that this would be a problem. The water doesn’t compress, but the headspace does.  But more importantly, the pressure can still increase without the water compressing, and the pressure bursts the cans. ---
**Author:** ![mabrungard](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/mabrungard/32/12430_2.png) [@mabrungard](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/mabrungard)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 10:41pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/15 "2011-12-13T22:41:01Z")
I’m with Ron on this issue…the container doesn’t matter, I drink beer from a glass.  Cans are a much better packaging options on multiple levels.  The local brewery in Indy made a decision at its inception to go with cans as their retail packaging.  They haven’t looked back.  Its great beer and that’s the only thing that matters. ---
**Author:** ![scarper11](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/scarper11/32/8961_2.png) [@scarper11](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/scarper11)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 10:47pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/16 "2011-12-13T22:47:13Z")
> [@mabrungard](#): > > I’m with Ron on this issue…the container doesn’t matter, I drink beer from a glass.  Cans are a much better packaging options on multiple levels.  The local brewery in Indy made a decision at its inception to go with cans as their retail packaging.  They haven’t looked back.  Its great beer and that’s the only thing that matters. I recently tried the canned PU and was amazed at how much better it was than the skunky bottles I was used to getting.  It makes a huge difference in long hauled imports. And my girlfriend likes it in the can too…  oh lord I apologize. ---
**Author:** ![jeffy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jeffy/32/12842_2.png) [@jeffy](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jeffy)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 10:49pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/17 "2011-12-13T22:49:43Z")
Even if the cans are weak because of the time it takes to can condition, wouldn’t they make some sort of strengthener in each level of can pallets that would prevent the cans from being crushed by the weight?  Three pieces of vertical plastic the same height as a can in each level, maybe? ---
**Author:** ![bluesman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@bluesman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/bluesman)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 10:53pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/18 "2011-12-13T22:53:38Z")
> [@](#): > > > [@mabrungard](#): > > > > I’m with Ron on this issue…the container doesn’t matter, I drink beer from a glass.  Cans are a much better packaging options on multiple levels.  The local brewery in Indy made a decision at its inception to go with cans as their retail packaging.  They haven’t looked back.  Its great beer and that’s the only thing that matters. > > I recently tried the canned PU and was amazed at how much better it was than the skunky bottles I was used to getting.  It makes a huge difference in long hauled imports. And my girlfriend likes it in the can too…   oh lord I apologize. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![bluesman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@bluesman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/bluesman)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 10:59pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/19 "2011-12-13T22:59:47Z")
I was going to mention the skunking of hops by light exposure in the bottle…this is another element to consider. The other concern for some is taste difference.  :-\ I do know that cans are lined with a water-epoxy ensuring that aluminum and beer never touch each other. > **[Canned vs Bottled Beer - Which Tastes Better](https://www.professorshouse.com/canned-vs-bottled-beer/)** > > Canned vs Bottled Beer | Which is Better Every one knows cans of beer are more convenient and easier to transport than bottled beer, but what about the taste. This has been a decades long debate. [http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/05/great-canned-bottled-beer-debate-20-craft-brewing-weighs/](http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/05/great-canned-bottled-beer-debate-20-craft-brewing-weighs/) ---
**Author:** ![punatic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/punatic/32/13656_2.png) [@punatic](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/punatic)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651/20 "2011-12-13T23:07:42Z")
> [@denny](#): > > The issue is that since the beer is at least partially carbed in the container, **cans wouldn’t have their full strength when they were stacked pallet upon pallet.** > [@tschmidlin](#): > > > [@punatic](#): > > > > Since the cans are full of (essentially) water, and water is virtually incompressible, I’m surprised that this would be a problem. > > The water doesn’t compress, but the headspace does.  But more importantly, the pressure can still increase without the water compressing, and the pressure bursts the cans. So, how does that relate to the filled cans being under-carbed intially? (not meaning to be argumentative, just curious) [Next page](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/a-new-trend/8651.md?page=2)