Canned: Lonerider Brewing Co. transitions entire bottling line to cans

Chalk up another win for the canning trend: Lonerider Brewing Co. has decided to transition from bottles to cans. The announcement comes on the heels of the brewery’s expanded distribution along the East Coast.

“Cans are the next wave of revolution in craft beer,” said Sumit Vohra, Lonerider chief executive officer and chief drinking officer. “Our primary objective has always been brewing high quality beer and we are excited to bring our Outlaws to you in cans.”

In fact, Lonerider Brewing reported that, in its opinion, canned beer essentially crushes its competition when compared. Let Lonerider count the ways:

• Cans protect beer from oxygen (that can otherwise seep in under a bottle cap over time and turn the beer flat).
• Cans guard beer against light, which can lead to “skunky” beer.
• Cans are more portable; they are lighter and consume less space than their glass counterparts.
• Cans don’t impart a metallic taste, as many falsely believe; the aluminum is coated to prevent contact with the beer.
• Cans chill quicker than bottles do.
• Cans can go places bottles can’t.

To the last point: “Cans don’t shatter like bottles, and so they’re allowed a lot of places where bottles are banned – like parks, pools, and beaches,” Vohra said. “And let’s face it, what better time to enjoy an ice cold high quality craft brew than when you’re hanging out with friends on a sunny day by the water?”

Beer retailers are also excited about the rise in popularity of canned beer, Lonerider reported. “Regardless of what’s in our name, we love that canned options are on the rise!” said Ted Gross, owner of Raleigh’s Bottle Revolution. “Several of our top-selling beers are canned, so consumers are getting the message and enjoying them all the places that bottles aren’t safe to go.”