Beer, Motorcycles and Cigars — Beer, Bikes and Butts

I’m always a little amused when people “reinvent” really old technology. Not that I have firsthand experience, but my recollection of history is that the invention of the can was a pretty big deal, and the options at the time for opening them was to punch holes in them or open the entire top with a can opener.

Then came the pop top, and that was a huge deal because people could open and drink from a can with no opener. For awhile, the pop top was a tab sort of thing that the user would pull off the can, but that was not a great solution because it created a lot of waste. Then came the cans that we mostly use today, where you push the tap down into the can, but everything stays connected.

Everything old is new again. With the April launch of Helles Golden Lager, its ninth canned beer, Sly Fox Brewing Company will become the first brewery in North America to utilize the innovative 360 Lid beverage can technology developed by Crown Holdings, Inc. The entire lid of the can is removable, enhancing the drinking experience while turning it into a drinking vessel and eliminating the need for separate glassware.

“This technology allows the full flavor and aroma of the beer to hit the drinker’s senses and makes the can an even more appealing package for outdoor activities and situations where you want to be able to move around and sip your beer easily,” said Sly Fox Brewing Company head brewer Brian O’Reilly.

“Craft brew enthusiasts want to enjoy their beer as it was meant to be experienced whether at home or at an event and the 360 Lid makes the beverage can the perfect vessel to do just that,” added O’Reilly.

I really like the idea of a full opening to better enjoy your beer, but now, instead of that annoying little tab, you’ll have a really big shard of metal to discard into the environment. Ah, progress.

Posted on April 4th, 2013 by Aaron Morris
Filed under: Beer, Beer Facts, Beer History