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When you brew craft beer, you have the choice to package it in either cans or bottles. Enthusiasts continue to debate which is better, but the truth is that each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, which one is better depends more on your preferences and that of your customers. One major advantage that both cans and bottles have is that you can use poly labels on either to identify your product and make it stand out from others on the shelf. Here is a closer look at both cans and bottles and the pros and cons associated with each.
Bottles
Beer bottles have a certain high-class cachet. It may be because wine is contained in bottles. Because of the association, your beer may be perceived as being higher quality if it is in bottles rather than cans. Beer bottles are often more aesthetically pleasing than cans. They come in different colours and they sparkle when they catch the light. Combined with attractive poly labels, they may become a collector’s item that people hold onto long after the bottle is empty. Glass doesn’t have a smell of its own to affect the taste of the beer, so you may prefer bottles if you like to drink your beer straight from the container.
Beer bottles are heavier than cans, which may be good or bad. The greater heft may give the impression that your product is more substantial. However, it makes it more difficult to transport the beer from place to place. Glass bottles are also susceptible to breaking if dropped.
Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of beer bottles is that they are translucent and let light in. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation changes the smell and the taste of the beer inside, causing it to become unpleasant. Beer that is light-struck is sometimes described as “skunky.” Coloured glass filters out some of the UV radiation, but there is always a risk of skunky beer from bottles.
Cans
Because cans are more lightweight than bottles, they are more portable. Compared to a six-pack of 12-ounce beer bottles, a six-pack of 12-ounce beer cans is about 2.5 pounds lighter, a difference that you appreciate more the farther you have to transport your beer. Cans are also easier to store because they can stack on top of one another. As a result, you can fit many more cans of beer in a mini-fridge than you can bottles of the same capacity.
Both the aluminum used in cans and the glass used in bottles are recyclable materials. However, if environmental sustainability is important to you, you should consider cans over bottles because aluminum is easier to recycle than glass. Aluminum can be recycled indefinitely, meaning that it is better for long-term sustainability.
Opening either a can or a bottle each produces an appealing sound. However, with their pop tabs, cans are much easier to open. Of course, some people may derive more satisfaction from opening a bottle because of the extra effort they invested in it. It feels good to have hard work pay off.
The biggest complaint about cans is often that being encased in aluminum gives the beer a metallic taste. However, the inside of beer cans is lined so that the beer never actually comes in contact with the metal. The sensation that people are perceiving when complaining about a metallic quality may actually be the smell of aluminum. It can be solved by pouring the beer into a glass before consuming it.
While both beer cans and bottles are good candidates for poly labels, cans provide more printable space.
Poly Labels From Kinsbrae Packaging
Whether you decide to put your craft beer in bottles or cans, poly labels are a durable and practical way to express your originality and artistry. Find out how Kinsbrae Packaging can help you tell your brand’s story with poly labels and custom packaging sleeves.