In our last post, we smashed the cans vs. bottles debate out of the park (where they only allow cans anyway) scoring a homerun for aluminum as the best container for craft beverages. In this article, we’ll walk you through choosing the right can for your creative concoction – because yes – size (as well as style and supplier) does matter!
Size Matters
Almost as vast as the ingredients poured into making craft beverages, is the assortment of cans to contain them. Choosing the right can for your batch typically depends on the serving size, consumption volume, and industry standards and styles. Here are just a few examples:
- Nip – 8.4 oz – compact and easy to transport, often the size used for energy drinks and coffee shots.
- Original – 12 oz – holds the recommended serving size of beer. The mainstream choice, often sold in packs of six, 12, 15, 18, 24, and 30
- Tallboy – 16 oz – holds the same as a standard pint glass. Huge in the craft beer industry for showcasing interesting products. Often sold in packs of four.
- Stovepipe – 19.2 oz – the fastest growing size in packaged retail sales, as it allows crafters to sell their products as single-servings in places like stadiums and convenience stores.
- Crowler – 32 oz – holds the same as a standard growler but is specially sealed for travel and to-go sales. Greatly extends the shelf-life of the beverage.
Cans also come in different styles:
- Standard – stout and compact, the standard can is the typical container of beer and soda. Comes in a variety of sizes.
- Slim – thinner than the standard can, slim cans are often used for smaller serving sizes and marketed to those living in dorm rooms or tighter spaces.
- Sleek – trendy and modern, often used by brands to stand out on the shelves or differentiate unique products, like sparkling water and canned cocktails.
Keep in mind, when it comes to wine, there are federal regulations regarding can size
According to the Federal Tax and Trade Bureau, wine must only be packaged in 187 ml, 250 ml, or 375 ml cans. With 11 can sizes to choose from, CanSource has you covered!
Brand Stand
The world of craft beverages has exploded over the past few years giving imbibers a litany of libations from which to choose. These never-ending selections, coupled with consumer ad-fatigue, means brands must market an experience to stand out from the competition. What’s your brand’s story? Who drinks your product? How does your beverage make the drinker feel? Cans provide a 360-degree canvas for conveying your message, which means, the crafting of your can is equally as important as the beverage inside. Use the can to solidify customer loyalty by brandishing an easily identifiable look and signature elements, including:
- Can size
- Can shape
- An iconic logo
- Distinctive marks, icons, and symbols
- Unique fonts
- Eye-catching colors
- Brand architecture
Supplier Demands
Being successful in the craft beverage industry means, not only, matching your beverage and brand to the right can – but matching your business with the right can supplier!
At CanSource, we started out as canners, so we understand the craft beverage industry from the inside out. Plus, we manage the can supply chain, so you don’t have to. With low minimum orders, high-quality digital printing, premium materials, and a strong relationship with Ball, we serve customers from around the country with efficiency and speed. Contact us to learn more!