Looking for a Great Can Beer

Photo by Steve Snodgrass

As we enter the heat of summer here in Cincinnati, my thoughts turn to heading outside and cooling off. Sadly most of the local pools, lakes, and rivers have a negative view of bottles, even those filled with craft beers. This has led me to my summer project of finding a canned beer to last through the pool parties and canoe trips. Cans have gotten a bad name due to people associating a metallic taste with the beer. As times have changed, so has the assumption that the can is the only reason for poor quality beer. I let none of that deter me from my quest for a great beer in can form.

Up first is the Summer Solstice Cerveza from Anderson Valley Brewing Company. This light cream ale has a lemon meringue quality that makes it nice and light after a hot muggy day of yard work. The overall flavor is sharp and leaves the palate with the hint of lemon that fades to a nice creaminess. Overall, the flavor and mouth feel make this a beer to recommend. The price tag is a touch high ($8.50 for a 6-pack on the Kentucky side of the river) but the quality makes this a great first entry into my attempt to find a nice, well crafted, micro-brewed beer in a can.

Any suggestions for other cans to try that might be difficult to find? Let me know in the comments along with suggestion on where to find them. I’ll be searching for canned beer during our travels as well.

My review:

– Kevin

8 Responses to “Looking for a Great Can Beer”

1. writetechnology says:

   July 1, 2010 at 4:04 am

   New on Wine-Girl: Looking for a Great Can Beer http://dlvr.it/2C6Fw

   This comment was originally posted on Twitter
2. Christa says:

   July 1, 2010 at 9:38 am

   I first fell in love with canned beer on Hawaii. The big swell IPA was a great friend during my time there and I was so impressed with the quality of the can.

   Around these parts, 21st Amendment IPA(out of San Fran) is available in locations around town. (Dilly’s Deli and Jungle Jims for sure).. they also have a watermelon beer that I’m not a fan of, but others enjoy.

   Looking forward to seeing the answers!
3. Mark says:

   July 1, 2010 at 11:16 am

   Unfortunately not around here, Oskar Blues Brewing & Ska Brewing. Both are out of Colorado.
4. SeanPaul2468 says:

   July 1, 2010 at 1:40 pm

   Looking for a Great Can Beer « My Wine Education: This has led me to my summer project of finding a canned beer to… http://bit.ly/doNP9L

   This comment was originally posted on Twitter
5. mike says:

   July 1, 2010 at 5:59 pm

   Wietkerke (spelling may be off) is a great wheat beer in a can. great with orange
6. Paul Arthur says:

   July 2, 2010 at 7:17 pm

   The Keweenaw Brewing Company here in Michigan distributes four of their beers in cans. They’re decent, though not particularly stunning (and I didn’t at all care for their black ale.)
7. Kevin says:

   July 5, 2010 at 2:24 pm

   I picked up a pair of can beers in Pennsylvania a few weekends back. I have not been through Michigan recently, but I will keep my eyes open and see what I can find around here. I might check over in Indiana to see if they have any Keweenaw as well. Thanks for the suggestion.
8. john busteed says:

   July 8, 2010 at 5:14 pm

   I would second the Oskar Blues Brewing and would also offer Brewers Art Resurrection Beer from Baltimore MD. $10/pack but very nice in the Belgian style.