Canned, Foamy, Yours. The Untold Story of the Beer Can

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On January 24, beer lovers around the world celebrate a curious milestone — the official Birthday of the beer can. It was on this day in 1935 that canned beer first went on sale, changing the way we package and enjoy beer forever. Let’s take a look at how it all began and the key moments that shaped the fate of canned beer.

Back in the past

The first canned beer was released by Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company in New Jersey. Their trial batch was a hit — 91% of customers approved — leading to mass production of Krueger’s Finest and Cream Ale in metal containers.

But Krueger wasn’t the first to dream of canned beer. In the 1920s, Pabst and Anheuser-Busch had similar plans, but Prohibition halted their efforts.

Early cans were steel with flat lids, opened using a key. Later in 1935, Schlitz introduced a new format — the “inverted funnel” or “spout” — resembling a bottle sealed with a crown cork. For years, breweries competed to perfect the design, until World War II paused canned beer sales in the U.S.

Better than steel

The next revolution came in 1958, when Hawaii Brewing Company launched Primo Beer in aluminum cans. Hybrid designs followed briefly, but aluminum soon became the standard.

Opening mechanisms remained a challenge until 1963, when Schlitz introduced the pull-tab ring. It was so popular that by the late 1960s, canned beer outsold bottled beer in the U.S.

Modern cans — aluminum with a stay-on tab — appeared in the early 1980s and have remained largely unchanged since.

Whether canned or bottled, the most important thing is flavor! You can enjoy great beer from around the world at any Lambic beer restaurant. Our menu features a wide selection of drinks, delicious food, and a cozy atmosphere. Come visit — we’ll help you find your new favorite!

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