Comments on: Kegs and cans have an advantage over glass http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 21 May 2013 03:57:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Itsumishi http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1636915 Itsumishi Thu, 24 Jan 2013 23:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1636915 Put the cork back in and it will still be drinkable the next evening, unless you're a complete wine snob and if that's the case finishing it in an evening shouldn't be hard! Put the cork back in and it will still be drinkable the next evening, unless you’re a complete wine snob and if that’s the case finishing it in an evening shouldn’t be hard!

]]> By: Lennoxx Bllaze Wesst http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1636034 Lennoxx Bllaze Wesst Thu, 24 Jan 2013 05:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1636034 No, but wine isn't bubbly like beer (champagne aside). Wine's also easier to pour, less susceptible to detergent residue on the glass, doesn't need to stay cold, etc. Now, I also have problems with wine packaging. How is one non-alcoholic person supposed to get through a 750mL bottle of wine on a weeknight before it turns gross - i.e. within 18 hours? Anyway... I'm coming across like a precious little foo-foo now, so I'll shut up. No, but wine isn’t bubbly like beer (champagne aside). Wine’s also easier to pour, less susceptible to detergent residue on the glass, doesn’t need to stay cold, etc.
Now, I also have problems with wine packaging. How is one non-alcoholic person supposed to get through a 750mL bottle of wine on a weeknight before it turns gross – i.e. within 18 hours?
Anyway… I’m coming across like a precious little foo-foo now, so I’ll shut up.

]]> By: TooGoodToCheck http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633864 TooGoodToCheck Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633864  Huh.  I did not know that.  My bottled guinness experience was back in the late 90s, so my info is no longer current  Huh.  I did not know that.  My bottled guinness experience was back in the late 90s, so my info is no longer current

]]> By: Luther Blissett http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633734 Luther Blissett Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633734 Noooooo. Wrooooong. Both the headline, and that white glass containers are unsuitable in general. The hight-tech glass industry found a way around this. Vanadium pentoxide or cerium dioxide is added during the production of the glass. Blocks UV. Noooooo. Wrooooong. Both the headline, and that white glass containers are unsuitable in general. The hight-tech glass industry found a way around this. Vanadium pentoxide or cerium dioxide is added during the production of the glass. Blocks UV.

]]> By: Itsumishi http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633720 Itsumishi Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633720 Go to Canada, or at least Ontario. I kept looking for bottled beer in the LCBO there and choices were always much slimmer than if I searched the canned range. I'd much prefer beer in bottles because it generally stays cooler in my hand as can will transfer the heat faster and the taste of aluminium on my lips always tastes metallic. However, if I transfer a can into a glass I'm fine. If I've got beer in a bottle I'll only transfer it into a glass if I want to see the colour, or if I'm sharing it with a friend. Go to Canada, or at least Ontario. I kept looking for bottled beer in the LCBO there and choices were always much slimmer than if I searched the canned range.

I’d much prefer beer in bottles because it generally stays cooler in my hand as can will transfer the heat faster and the taste of aluminium on my lips always tastes metallic. However, if I transfer a can into a glass I’m fine. If I’ve got beer in a bottle I’ll only transfer it into a glass if I want to see the colour, or if I’m sharing it with a friend.

]]> By: Itsumishi http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633718 Itsumishi Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633718 "Regular" Guinness Draught is 4.2%. There is also Guinness Mid-strength which is 2.8%. Guinness Extra Stout varies a lot depending on where in the world you are. There is also Guinness Foreign Extra Stout which is generally considerably stronger and again varies a lot depending on where you are. “Regular” Guinness Draught is 4.2%. There is also Guinness Mid-strength which is 2.8%. Guinness Extra Stout varies a lot depending on where in the world you are. There is also Guinness Foreign Extra Stout which is generally considerably stronger and again varies a lot depending on where you are.

]]> By: fuzzyfuzzyfungus http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633650 fuzzyfuzzyfungus Tue, 22 Jan 2013 05:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633650 The aluminum, steel, or other metal is typically protected by a polymer layer of some flavor(which has its own potential for trouble, many formulations include bisphenol A which makes people nervous); but getting interior coatings to work properly was a significant step in making metal containers practical at all. The aluminum, steel, or other metal is typically protected by a polymer layer of some flavor(which has its own potential for trouble, many formulations include bisphenol A which makes people nervous); but getting interior coatings to work properly was a significant step in making metal containers practical at all.

]]> By: fuzzyfuzzyfungus http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633646 fuzzyfuzzyfungus Tue, 22 Jan 2013 05:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633646 In my experience, retailers seem to favor the strategy of filling the clear bottles with Corona, presumably to prevent beer from being accidentally placed in them. In my experience, retailers seem to favor the strategy of filling the clear bottles with Corona, presumably to prevent beer from being accidentally placed in them.

]]> By: destroy_all_humans http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633611 destroy_all_humans Tue, 22 Jan 2013 04:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633611 because wine comes in cans? because wine comes in cans?

]]> By: Brian Easton http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633606 Brian Easton Tue, 22 Jan 2013 04:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633606 Guinness has been putting widgets in their bottles since 2001 Guinness has been putting widgets in their bottles since 2001

]]> By: Lennoxx Bllaze Wesst http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633584 Lennoxx Bllaze Wesst Tue, 22 Jan 2013 03:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633584 I much prefer drinking from a can. The shape of the bottle and the shape of my mouth makes bottled beer really sudsy and gassy. Cans just don't. Yet many's the time I've gone into a liquor store looking for a nice six-pack of canned beer, only to find NONE at all. Not a single can of beer in the whole place - everything from cheap dishwater to the most precisely engineered Japanese is bottled. So I buy wine instead. I much prefer drinking from a can. The shape of the bottle and the shape of my mouth makes bottled beer really sudsy and gassy. Cans just don’t. Yet many’s the time I’ve gone into a liquor store looking for a nice six-pack of canned beer, only to find NONE at all. Not a single can of beer in the whole place – everything from cheap dishwater to the most precisely engineered Japanese is bottled. So I buy wine instead.

]]> By: Rick Adams http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633487 Rick Adams Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633487 This is old news. Like half-a-decade old news. Trendier breweries in the Pacific Northwest and California have been doing this for a while. (example: 21st-amendment.com) It's debatable what the absolutely ideal container for keeping beer fresh is, but on a reasonable level, cans are the best, And they're better for the environment as well. Even the brown bottles still leak in light and have a more corruptible seal. As for corrosion, when was the last time you saw beer corrode an aluminum (aluminium if you like) can? I've always come to the conclusion that bottles are just more popular because people associate it with quality, and because they were the best before aluminum cans were invented. Also, as someone said above, the size of smaller craft-breweries prohibits the use of aluminum. And if you go with bottles just because you like the taste or feel or whatever better, then you should contemplate this: if you're going to start getting really picky about your beer, then you should probably be drinking it from an appropriate glass. This is old news. Like half-a-decade old news. Trendier breweries in the Pacific Northwest and California have been doing this for a while. (example: 21st-amendment.com) It’s debatable what the absolutely ideal container for keeping beer fresh is, but on a reasonable level, cans are the best, And they’re better for the environment as well. Even the brown bottles still leak in light and have a more corruptible seal. As for corrosion, when was the last time you saw beer corrode an aluminum (aluminium if you like) can?

I’ve always come to the conclusion that bottles are just more popular because people associate it with quality, and because they were the best before aluminum cans were invented. Also, as someone said above, the size of smaller craft-breweries prohibits the use of aluminum.

And if you go with bottles just because you like the taste or feel or whatever better, then you should contemplate this: if you’re going to start getting really picky about your beer, then you should probably be drinking it from an appropriate glass.

]]> By: ldobe http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633483 ldobe Mon, 21 Jan 2013 23:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633483 Ah. I drink a few different beers that sometimes taste very soapy. As it happens, I also can't stand cilantro because it also tastes soapy to me. Perhaps I got a bad tastebud gene or somesuch that might influence both flavors. Most likely the two soapy flavors have nothing in common though. Ah. I drink a few different beers that sometimes taste very soapy. As it happens, I also can’t stand cilantro because it also tastes soapy to me. Perhaps I got a bad tastebud gene or somesuch that might influence both flavors. Most likely the two soapy flavors have nothing in common though.

]]> By: brandonmwest http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633478 brandonmwest Mon, 21 Jan 2013 23:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633478 I think they are different things. There are some hops that have a very soapy taste to me, (simcoe is one variety that I think is soapy). I've never tasted fusel alcohol that seemed soapy. I think they are different things. There are some hops that have a very soapy taste to me, (simcoe is one variety that I think is soapy). I’ve never tasted fusel alcohol that seemed soapy.

]]> By: Ito Kagehisa http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633401 Ito Kagehisa Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633401 Yes, the article headline is of course false, but the subtitle gets it right.  The best format for long-term beer storage is actinized glass - which most people would call "a brown bottle".  The second best storage is glass kept away from light.  Third best is in your stomach! Storing beer in corrosion-prone metal containers is something you do only if you have to, presumably because you can't afford the cost of protecting wood or glass from the environment you're in. Yes, the article headline is of course false, but the subtitle gets it right.  The best format for long-term beer storage is actinized glass – which most people would call “a brown bottle”.  The second best storage is glass kept away from light.  Third best is in your stomach!

Storing beer in corrosion-prone metal containers is something you do only if you have to, presumably because you can’t afford the cost of protecting wood or glass from the environment you’re in.

]]> By: Mister http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633398 Mister Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633398 Bottled Guiness without the widget thingy in it is sold as Guiness Export Ale and is a different beer from the Guiness you'll find on tap. Guiness draft -- whether on tap, in a can (with a widget thingy), or in a bottle (also with a widget thingy) -- are all (supposedly) the same beer nowadays, though that has not always been the case. Regular Guiness is about 3% alcohol, if memory serves, while Guiness Export is about 5%. The original reason for doing it that way had something to do with taxes on alcohol in Ireland, though by my (Belgian) standards they both seem pretty low in alcohol.... Bottled Guiness without the widget thingy in it is sold as Guiness Export Ale and is a different beer from the Guiness you’ll find on tap. Guiness draft — whether on tap, in a can (with a widget thingy), or in a bottle (also with a widget thingy) — are all (supposedly) the same beer nowadays, though that has not always been the case. Regular Guiness is about 3% alcohol, if memory serves, while Guiness Export is about 5%. The original reason for doing it that way had something to do with taxes on alcohol in Ireland, though by my (Belgian) standards they both seem pretty low in alcohol….

]]> By: ldobe http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633385 ldobe Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633385 Question: is skunky flavor soapy as well? I've read that soapy flavors are caused by fusel/higher molecular weight alcohols. Or is skunkiness a different flavor and I'm just drinking gross beers? Question: is skunky flavor soapy as well? I’ve read that soapy flavors are caused by fusel/higher molecular weight alcohols.

Or is skunkiness a different flavor and I’m just drinking gross beers?

]]> By: ldobe http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633380 ldobe Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633380 About bottle agingI would have assumed that cans could handle rising pressure better than bottles since metal cans can flex, while glass bottles are much more rigid and will shatter instead of bulging. On the other hand, I guess a single piece of glass might have more structural integrity than three very thin pieces of flanged-together aluminum with a rivet on one end. About bottle agingI would have assumed that cans could handle rising pressure better than bottles since metal cans can flex, while glass bottles are much more rigid and will shatter instead of bulging.

On the other hand, I guess a single piece of glass might have more structural integrity than three very thin pieces of flanged-together aluminum with a rivet on one end.

]]> By: Emma Jones http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633345 Emma Jones Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633345 I still prefer bottles. Canned beer always tastes watery and bland to me. Except once, I got a can of Yuengling that tasted rancid and chemically. I'd rather go to the bar and get a draft if I'm not drinking from the bottle. And I'm probably gonna drink it before it skunks anyway. I still prefer bottles. Canned beer always tastes watery and bland to me. Except once, I got a can of Yuengling that tasted rancid and chemically. I’d rather go to the bar and get a draft if I’m not drinking from the bottle.

And I’m probably gonna drink it before it skunks anyway.

]]> By: Thorzdad http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633308 Thorzdad Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633308  Skunking would add flavor to Miller.  Skunking would add flavor to Miller.

]]> By: Paul Renault http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633279 Paul Renault Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633279 From The Notebooks of Lazarus Long: "Always store beer in a dark place." From The Notebooks of Lazarus Long: “Always store beer in a dark place.”

]]> By: Christopher http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633196 Christopher Mon, 21 Jan 2013 19:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633196 A friend of mine who was only familiar with bottled Guinness described it as "chocolate Kaopectate". I never did have a chance to get him to try a pint of the real stuff.  A friend of mine who was only familiar with bottled Guinness described it as “chocolate Kaopectate”. I never did have a chance to get him to try a pint of the real stuff. 

]]> By: Roose_Bolton http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633189 Roose_Bolton Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633189 Bottled Guinness and canned Guinnesss aren't the same product, that would probably explain why you found it so different. Bottled Guinness and canned Guinnesss aren’t the same product, that would probably explain why you found it so different.

]]> By: TooGoodToCheck http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633188 TooGoodToCheck Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633188 Good point!  Nitrogenated beers with the widget in the can are generally excellent.  I believe that Guinness in a bottle doesn't have the widget, so the bubbles are carbon dioxide.  Guinness from a tap (or a tin) will have a bit of carbon dioxide, but mostly nitrogen, which makes for smaller bubbles and a creamier head. My first experience with Guinness was from a bottle, and I honestly could not believe that anyone would voluntarily drink the stuff. Good point!  Nitrogenated beers with the widget in the can are generally excellent.  I believe that Guinness in a bottle doesn’t have the widget, so the bubbles are carbon dioxide.  Guinness from a tap (or a tin) will have a bit of carbon dioxide, but mostly nitrogen, which makes for smaller bubbles and a creamier head.

My first experience with Guinness was from a bottle, and I honestly could not believe that anyone would voluntarily drink the stuff.

]]> By: TooGoodToCheck http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633183 TooGoodToCheck Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633183 I suspect (based on nothing but my gut feeling) that it relates to scale, and ease of setup. If you want to tin your beer, then you need a pretty industrial assembly line to make it work.  Whereas bottling can be done at home. So tins probably aren't a realistic option until you get up to a certain size of brewing operation, and the things brewed at that scale are miller, bud, etc. Also, it could be related to the fact that people already have a mental association between tins and cheap beer.  In wine, I know synthetic corks had a stigma associated with them for quite some time, even though they are more reliable than real cork. I suspect (based on nothing but my gut feeling) that it relates to scale, and ease of setup. If you want to tin your beer, then you need a pretty industrial assembly line to make it work.  Whereas bottling can be done at home.

So tins probably aren’t a realistic option until you get up to a certain size of brewing operation, and the things brewed at that scale are miller, bud, etc.

Also, it could be related to the fact that people already have a mental association between tins and cheap beer.  In wine, I know synthetic corks had a stigma associated with them for quite some time, even though they are more reliable than real cork.

]]> By: brandonmwest http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633184 brandonmwest Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633184 The main reason is technology. Only in the last few years has canning technology become affordable enough for small breweries to use, and even more recently have the problems with oxygen exposure leading to occasionally oxidized beer been solved. The other reason is that lots of premium beers still have live yeast in them, which is called bottle conditioning. That's what makes them carbonated, and in many beers that's why they'll improve with age. Cans can't handle that changing internal pressure nearly as well as glass. The main reason is technology. Only in the last few years has canning technology become affordable enough for small breweries to use, and even more recently have the problems with oxygen exposure leading to occasionally oxidized beer been solved.

The other reason is that lots of premium beers still have live yeast in them, which is called bottle conditioning. That’s what makes them carbonated, and in many beers that’s why they’ll improve with age. Cans can’t handle that changing internal pressure nearly as well as glass.

]]> By: Christopher http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633182 Christopher Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633182 I'm not sure, but I do remember when I returned to the States from the UK the closest thing I could get to a pub pint of Guinness was Guinness in a specially designed can. At the time those cans weren't sold on this side of the pond (I had half a dozen in my luggage), and the only way to get Guinness was in a bottle. Bottled Guinness tasted very, very different, though. I was going to suggest that possibly bottles are cheaper, but that seems unlikely. I’m not sure, but I do remember when I returned to the States from the UK the closest thing I could get to a pub pint of Guinness was Guinness in a specially designed can. At the time those cans weren’t sold on this side of the pond (I had half a dozen in my luggage), and the only way to get Guinness was in a bottle. Bottled Guinness tasted very, very different, though.

I was going to suggest that possibly bottles are cheaper, but that seems unlikely.

]]> By: brandonmwest http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633180 brandonmwest Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633180 I've sent back more than a few bottles of Newcastle that were skunked. Any beer with any amount of hops is susceptible. I’ve sent back more than a few bottles of Newcastle that were skunked. Any beer with any amount of hops is susceptible.

]]> By: jpgsawyer http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633177 jpgsawyer Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633177 Interesting. Good Beer (ie that from brewers rather than the junk from the large chain chemists) here in the UK is almost always sold in bottles from the supermarkets. There are beers sold in cans that are supposed to be the same thing but invariably aren't. I wonder why glass is the packaging of choice for the premium product when its worse for the beer? Interesting. Good Beer (ie that from brewers rather than the junk from the large chain chemists) here in the UK is almost always sold in bottles from the supermarkets. There are beers sold in cans that are supposed to be the same thing but invariably aren’t. I wonder why glass is the packaging of choice for the premium product when its worse for the beer?

]]> By: tempo http://boingboing.net/2013/01/21/kegs-and-cans-have-an-advantag.html#comment-1633174 tempo Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=207460#comment-1633174 I always wondered why people would say Heineken has a skunky taste.. I always wondered why people would say Heineken has a skunky taste..

]]>