Reasons why cans are better:
1) Oxygen Ingress: Cans provide a better barrier against oxygen ingress than bottles. Oxygen is the enemy of beer, as it can cause it to become stale and oxidized.
- Cans are made of metal, which is impermeable to oxygen.
- Bottles are made of glass, which is not impermeable to oxygen.
- The metal can prevents any contact of beer with oxygen from the moment the can is filled and seamed, until the moment it is opened.
- In bottles, microscopic pinholes in the glass and in the crown cap can let small amounts of oxygen in over time, even in the absence of visible faults.
2) Light Penetration: Cans completely block out light, which can also damage beer by causing it to become skunky.
- Cans are opaque and do not allow any light to pass through.
- Glass bottles allow light to pass through, especially clear or translucent bottles. Exposure of beer to light is detrimental to its stability, flavour, and aroma.
- Even brown or green bottles can let some light through, though to a lesser degree than clear bottles.
3) Temperature Stability: Cans are better at maintaining a consistent temperature than bottles. This is because metal is a better conductor of heat than glass, so cans can dissipate heat more quickly.
- Cans cool down faster when refrigerated and warm up slower when not refrigerated, helping to maintain the beer at its ideal drinking temperature.
- Bottles take longer to cool down and warm up, making it more difficult to control the beer's temperature.
4) Portability and Durability: Cans are more convenient to transport and more durable than bottles. This is because cans are lighter, smaller, and less likely to break than bottles.
- Cans are easy to stack, store, and carry, making them ideal for outdoor events, camping, or taking on the go.
- Cans do not break easily, even if dropped, and can withstand rough handling better than bottles.
In summary, cans are the better choice for beer packaging as they provide superior protection against oxygen, light, and temperature fluctuations. They are also more portable and durable, making them the preferred choice for a fresh, stable beer.
