Canadian beer drinkers are bidding farewell to long-necked glass beer bottles following the trend set by the discontinuation of the beloved stubby bottles. Moosehead Breweries, the largest exclusively Canadian-owned brewery, has announced its decision to cease beer bottle sales in early 2023, aligning with the preference for canned beer among Canadians.
The shift to cans was justified by Moosehead Breweries, citing Canadians’ inclination towards canned beer as the primary reason. This move, however, was met with mixed reactions, with some expressing disappointment over the decision, emphasizing the superior taste of beer from bottles.
President and CEO of Moosehead Breweries, Andrew Oland, acknowledged the consumer preference for bottles but highlighted the industry-wide shift towards cans as the driving force behind the brewery’s decision. According to Beer Canada, sales data supports the increasing popularity of canned beer, surpassing bottle sales significantly from 2015 to 2024.
Beer sommelier Roger Mittag weighed in on the debate, asserting that bottled beer offers a better taste experience due to superior carbonation retention compared to cans. However, he acknowledged that the average consumer might not discern the difference. Mittag also pointed out the logistical advantages of cans for retailers and breweries, including faster packaging and cost efficiency.
Despite the environmental considerations favoring reusable glass bottles, the recyclability of aluminum cans after a single use presents a contrasting perspective. An environmental lifecycle analysis revealed that bottles become more eco-friendly than cans after multiple uses, emphasizing the importance of considering the entire product lifecycle.
Challenges such as increased tariffs on aluminum imposed by the U.S. pose additional hurdles for the can industry, potentially impacting Canadian brewers reliant on aluminum packaging. While the future of bottled beer remains uncertain, industry experts believe that cans, with their design flexibility and efficiency, are likely to dominate the market.
In conclusion, the transition from bottles to cans reflects evolving consumer preferences and industry dynamics, raising debates on taste preferences, environmental impacts, and economic challenges within the Canadian brewing sector.
