Canned vs Bottled Beer – Which Tastes Better

The debate between canned beer and bottled beer didn’t start until the 1930s. Before then, tin cans couldn’t hold beer without exploding. It wasn’t until 1935 that a vinyl liner was invented to prevent beer from busting the can’s seam. The first beer to use this new canning technology was Krueger’s Finest Beer from Virginia, which quickly became a huge hit with the public.

Gradually, canned beer gained popularity in Europe. However, during World War II, the production of canned beer was halted everywhere due to rationing. After the war, canned beer production resumed and reached new levels of popularity with the introduction of the flat-top can.

Canned vs. Bottled: Taste, Convenience, and Environmental Impact

The main reason for the success of canned beer was convenience. Cans were smaller than bottles, stackable, and less prone to breaking, making them easier to sell. The invention of the liner that made canned beer possible also allowed beer to be sold in metal kegs instead of wooden casks. This made transportation to bars easier and helped preserve the beer for longer periods of time.

Everyone knows cans are more convenient and easier to transport, but what about the taste? This has been a decades-long debate. It really comes down to personal preference. Some people believe the can imparts an aftertaste, especially since we switched from tin to aluminum cans. Others feel that bottles do a better job of preserving the flavor and carbonation of the beer.

One thing that’s without dispute is beer temperature. In Europe, where beer is preferred warm, the fact that cans don’t keep beer cold isn’t an issue. However, in America and other places where we prefer our beverages cold, this is a big deal. Once you open a can of beer, the container has trouble keeping the liquid cold. Many Americans solve this problem by using beer cozies. Because of the nature of glass, beer in bottles stays cold longer even after it’s opened.

What about the impact on the environment? Hands down, bottles win the debate on environmental impact. In fact, the best thing you can do for the environment is buy bottled beer from local breweries that recycle glass for their bottles. This saves fuel used in transportation and avoids the need for aluminum.

Aluminum itself isn’t the problem. The issue lies in the process of making it. Aluminum is the third most common element on Earth, so we’re not in danger of running out anytime soon. However, the environmental impact comes from how aluminum is produced. Making aluminum usable takes a great deal of energy, which uses oil—an increasingly limited resource.

So, long story short, if you believe in recycling, like your beer cold, and think glass improves the flavor, then bottled beer is the way to go. If convenience is more important to you, don’t mind using a beer cozy, and drink beer at any temperature, then canned beer is your solution. And if you’re like most people, you’ll enjoy both canned and bottled beer depending on the occasion. You might take canned beer to a tailgate and drink bottled beer at home. It’s a win-win situation for everybody.