On January 24, 1935, Krueger Brewing introduced the first beer can to the market
The beer can is celebrating its 90th anniversary on January 24, 2025, marking a milestone in innovation and design history.
The Birth of the Beer Can
The story of the beer can began in 1933, developed by the American Can Company. By 1935, the technology was ready for market distribution, yet breweries were hesitant to replace glass with cans.
This changed when the American Can Company approached entrepreneur Gottfried Krueger. In Delaware, Krueger's company conducted a pilot test, ensuring that any potential backlash wouldn’t tarnish their brand's reputation. After receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback, Krueger Brewing Company became the first brewery worldwide to introduce canned beer with its Krueger Cream Ale.
Advantages That Changed the Game
Beer cans offered several revolutionary benefits:
Durability: Cans were more robust and easier to transport than glass.
Light Protection: The opaque metal shielded beer from UV rays, preserving quality.
Convenience: Their stackable design made them practical for mass distribution.
Initially, cans were made from tin-plated steel, heavier and requiring a special tool called a "church key" to open. It wasn’t until 1963 that the introduction of pull-tab lids made opening cans more user-friendly.
Design Evolution
The can’s design has continuously evolved:
1935: Cone-top cans allowed smaller breweries to adopt the innovation without needing new equipment.
1963: The flat-top design with detachable pull-tabs became the standard.
1975: Stay-on tabs were introduced for environmental and safety reasons.
Today, beer cans are made from lightweight aluminum, weighing just 16 grams, a stark contrast to the 100-gram steel cans of the 1930s. Their designs have also become a canvas for creativity, with breweries using cans as marketing tools and even winning awards for artistic packaging.
A Modern Icon
Ninety years after its debut, the beer can remains a symbol of innovation. Lighter, recyclable, and versatile, it has become the packaging of choice for both large breweries and craft beer producers. However, despite its success, the environmental impact of the beer can remains a topic of debate. Although aluminum cans are recyclable, the energy-intensive production process and their use as single-use packaging raise concerns about sustainability.
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