The majority of these brewers are proudly supporting American businesses and employing American citizens. In fact, 81% of craft brewers are American-owned.

Many people in the United States don’t realize how great this trend is. Brewing is a complex manufacturing practice, so actually producing beer is a task that’s better left to specialists. 

Today we’re going to take a look at how beer packaging has changed over time and which type is used by modern brewers.

The History of Beer Packaging

From cans to bottles, the journey of beer packaging has been a long and complicated one.

Glass bottles were the first type of packaging used for beer, dating all the way back to the 16th century. Cans were not invented until the 19th century and were not widely used for beer until the 20th century. Today, cans are the most popular type of beer packaging, followed by bottles.

Changes in the Beer Industry

There has been a big change in the beer industry in recent years, with more and more breweries packaging their beer in cans instead of bottles. This change has been driven by a number of factors, including the fact that cans are more portable and easier to store than bottles, and they also keep the beer fresher for longer. 

Brewing companies have been reluctant to switch to cans. They have been associated with a cheaper look and feel. However, there are now many craft breweries with good product handling, and the quality of canned beer has improved dramatically in recent years.

The Switch From Cans to Bottles

Can have been the industry standard for beer for many years, but bottles are making a comeback. There are a few reasons for this, but the main one is that consumers are beginning to prefer the taste of beer to bottles. Cans can give the beer a metallic taste, while bottles do not. This is a big factor in the switch from cans to bottles.

Another reason for the switch is that bottles are more durable and can be reused. Cans are easily crushed and cannot be reused, but bottles can. This is important to some consumers who are looking to be more sustainable.

Innovative Beer Packaging Methods

The packaging of beer has come a long way since the old days. In fact, craft beer has been driving innovation in beer packaging for years, with new methods and techniques constantly being developed to give breweries more options for standing out on store shelves.

From custom bottle shapes and sizes to interesting can designs, there is no shortage of ways that brewers are getting creative with their packaging. Some use automated machinery like the vertical cartoner which can output a whole lot more while also being more reliable for shipping. 

Cans vs Bottles the Great Debate

Cans are more convenient and lightweight, making them easy to transport and perfect for outdoor activities. They also keep beer fresher for longer and don’t allow light to infiltrate and skunk the beer. On the downside, cans can be more expensive to produce, and some people believe they impart a metallic taste to the beer.

Bottles are the traditional option for packaging beer, and many people believe they provide a better taste. They’re also more eco-friendly and can be recycled more easily than cans. However, bottles are heavier and more fragile, making them less convenient for transportation.

How This Impacts the Taste of Beer

The taste of beer is affected by its packaging, with cans imparting a different flavor than bottles. Canned beer is often said to have a metal-like taste, while bottled beer is more mellow. This is due to the fact that cans are lined with a layer of plastic, which can leach into the beer and affect its taste.

Bottles are made of glass, which does not impart any flavors to the beer. Furthermore, bottles allow the beer to age better, as they are less prone to air and light exposure than cans. This means that bottled beer is often of a higher quality than canned beer, though this is not always the case.

Environmental Effects of This Change

The packaging of beer has a large impact on the environment, from the water and energy used in production to the emissions from transporting the product and finally to the waste generated when the consumer is finished with the container. 

Choosing source materials that have a lower environmental impact is the best approach. This can be done by using recycled materials or by using materials that can be recycled or reused. The next step is to reduce the transportation impacts by packaging the beer closer to the point of sale.

Finally, consumers can reduce their environmental impacts by recycling or reusing their beer packaging.  

Future of Beer Packaging

Beer packaging has come a long way since the days of cans and bottles. Today, there are a variety of beer packaging options available, from kegs and growlers to cans and bottles. However, the journey of beer packaging has not always been an easy one.

In the early days of beer packaging, cans were the only option. Cans were often dented and difficult to open, and they did not allow the beer to breathe. Bottles were a vast improvement, but they were still fragile and expensive to produce.

Today, cans and bottles are both widely used, but kegs and growlers are gaining in popularity. Kegs and growlers allow the beer to be stored and dispensed in a more controlled environment, and they are less likely to break than bottles.

The future of beer packaging will likely see a shift towards kegs and growlers, as they offer a more convenient and durable option for beer lovers.

Choosing the Best Packaging Method Depends on the Product Itself

There are many ways to package your product, but it greatly depends on the type, location, and use of your beer.

Cans are the most popular type of craft beer packaging, followed by bottles and then kegs. Each type of packaging has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

The best type of packaging for your beer depends on your product.

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