Dr. Alexander Nowell is believed to have accidentally invented the beer bottle in 1568. Apparently, the good doctor left a sealed bottle filled with beer next to a river after fishing. When he returned days later, he discovered carbonated beer caused by secondary fermentation.
Commercial beer bottling started more than 100 years later after beer makers figured out how to manufacture bottles that could withstand CO2 pressure. According to the Smithsonian Institute, beer in aluminum cans hit store shelves for the first time in 1935, thanks to the trailblazers at Gottfried Krueger Brewery.
Fast forward to 2023. Not only are there more aluminum beer cans on the shelf than ever, but craft breweries have led the shift to 16-ounce tallboy cans. Traditional glass bottles, once revered as premium packaging, have taken a backseat to tallboys, which offer more room for brightly colored artwork – and, of course, more beer.
12 or 16?
Today, the debate is less about can or bottle and more about 12-ounce or 16-ounce. Some brewers point out that smaller cans have a higher proportion of air, which can cause beer to go stale sooner. Different liners, defects in liner application, and the equipment used to manufacture the cans can also affect the taste of the beer.
From a practicality standpoint, beer at the bottom of a tallboy might be warm by the time you get to it. Conversely, the extra beer in a tallboy may be preferable to cracking open an entirely new 12-ouncer.
From a profitability standpoint, a four-pack of 16-ounce beer cans uses less beer and less container and packaging material than a six-pack of 12-ouncers, and consumers are often willing to pay a premium for a seemingly premium product.
The Aluminum Bottle Solution
Beer brands seeking to capitalize on the larger format while positioning their brew as a premium choice should consider aluminum bottles.
Aluminum bottles bring back the heritage shape of traditional glass with a modern, sleek vibe, while offering the performance and design options of high-end aluminum. With up to nine colors and a variety of surface effects, every aluminum bottle can be a work of art that stands out on store shelves and at sports and entertainment venues.
Aluminum bottles can be lined with special coatings to preserve the integrity of the beer and prevent issues with taste. And with superior chill retention and a resealable cap, aluminum bottles allow consumers to savor those final few ounces in a way your average tallboy cannot.
Aluminum seems to be the present and future of beer packaging. The key is to choose a format that captures your brand’s essence and value and delivers the experience beer drinkers demand.
If you’d like to discuss the shape, decorating, size, and internal lining options for aluminum bottles that can enhance your beer brand, contact us today!