Beer “To-Go” -Glass Growlers Vs Aluminum Cans

Beer “To-Go” 
Glass Growlers Vs Aluminum Cans
 
There has been a trend of movement small-scale microbreweries have been gearing towards when it comes to “to-go” vessels. Just wanted to take some time to express some of the benefits and challenges when it comes to transporting your favorite fresh beer from your local brewery. As more and more can seamer equipment has become more relatively affordable, breweries have considered the option to transition from the glass growler vessels to cans.

We are moving towards discontinuing sales of new growler containers to now roll-out 16oz cans. (Four cans replace a full 64oz growler). As always, we will continue filling growlers, but those that forget to bring a growler, can readily purchase fresh canned beer "to-go". 
 
Some of the best features of a growler fill:

• Rapid ease of fill and less sales time delays
• Best vessel for recycling the container use
• Can easily be capped during drinking session

 
Drawbacks of growler fills:

• Common 64oz vessels have to be consumed up to a day after opening
• Shorter shelf life of a common one week
• Higher chance of oxidation of beer due to the gap of beer fill and cap
• Fragile container can easily break
• Need for extra care in cleaning and reusing
• Higher vessel costs raise beer purchasing prices

 
Best features of can fill:

• Less chance of air gap between fill and cap –reduces oxidation –beer stays fresher, longer!
• More sturdy of a vessel to transport
• Can be compacted and commonly recycled 
• Lower vessel costs can be absorbed in price of sale
• Rather than drinking a common 64oz of beer in a session, a portion of beer can be enjoyed immediately and a portion can remain fresh and reserved for a later time
• Can seeming process is more fascinating for customers rather than watching the growler filling and capping process
• An opportunity for more diversity of beer styles can be purchased rather than one whole container of 64oz beer
• Customer has an opportunity to purchase one or two cans as opposed to committing to a full 64oz amount
• More sanitary since it is a single use vessel

 
Drawbacks of can fills:

• Time delay in filling and seeming
• Aluminum cans have some consumers feeling as substandard as opposed to traditional glass
• Fluctuations in aluminum costs, can impact future sales pricing

Just wanted to share a few thoughts regarding canned beers versus glass growler fills. Feel free to post and share your comments and feedback. Prost!