Aluminum cans or glass bottles, which do you prefer?  Why do you prefer one to the other?  Does it really matter?  For me, the beer is what counts.  However, the way in which your beer is packaged can drastically effect the taste of your beer.  The better question then would be, which container is better at preserving the beer inside?  Let’s explore their virtues.

Both cans, and bottles are easily sterilized, nonporous, and to varying degrees, durable.  Sunlight, and air are death to beer.  Sunlight will leave your beer skunky and sour, and air will flatten your beer, and impart other off flavors.  Cans do the best job of filtering sunlight, and air.  They’re airtight, and light-tight.  Bottles do an effective job as well, so long as they aren’t exposed to sunlight for too long, or allowed to sit on a shelf for extended periods of time.  When it comes to choosing a bottled beer, it’s usually best to go with a brown bottle versus a green bottle, or clear bottle.  Brown filters sunlight far better than green, or clear.

Some folks believe that aluminum imparts a slight metallic tang to beer.  That was probably true at one time, but today’s cans are lined with a water based coating.  The beer doesn’t even touch the can.  If you’re wondering that this coating might effect the taste of the beer, it doesn’t.  Just pop the top on a tall can of Strongbow, and tell me if that isn’t the cleanest tasting cider you’ve ever had.  You’ll not be able to say so!  If you’re one of those that turns your nose up at canned beer in general, I used to be one of those, stop and consider draft beer.  You wouldn’t turn your nose up at a draft beer would you?  Of course not!  Well, where do you think draft beer comes from?!  It comes from a big fucking aluminum can called a keg, or cask.

Let’s consider the aesthetic differences between cans and bottles.  Aesthetically, the two couldn’t be more different from one another.  It’s like comparing dwarves to elves.  In fact, let’s do that, this is a nerd blog after all.  Cans are like the dwarves of beer containers.  By dwarves I mean those that dwell in Middle Earth, and carry battle axes.  Cans are short, stout, can take a beating, but still serve up a good beer.  Bottles are more like elves; tall, slender, strong, but delicate.  Just a quick aside, as if elves and dwarves weren’t enough, sexiest long neck ever, Pacifico Clara.  See above picture.  This long neck is slightly taller, and thinner than most others.  Most long necks taper from base of neck to mouth at a sharp angle.  Pacifico’s long neck bows out a bit near the base, and goes up in a gentle curve.  SEXY!

Can or bottle, dwarf or elf, sexy or not sexy, does it really matter?  I suppose it comes down to personal preference.  However, once you’ve popped the top, it’s the beer that matters.  Drink up!

Cheers!

Mama's 'n' Me

Summer time!  Yes!  Sunshine, BBQs, swimmin’ holes, scantily clad hippie gals, HOT!  What goes well with all of these?!  Cold BEER!  You already knew that of course.  Because as you know, beer goes with damn near everything.  Personally, I prefer ales to lagers.  However, some beers are better suited for certain times.  In my opinion, brown ales don’t go down so well when it’s 100 degrees in the shade.  They’ll taste good going down, but after about three double IPAs you’re likely to dehydrate yourself pretty quick.  Better to stick with the lighter ales, and lagers, and save those heartier brews for cooler times, January 15 to February 28.  Nothing will warm you better than a stout Barley Wine.  I might be a bit late in getting around to summer beers, but as we have about two months of summer left, there’s still plenty of time for summer beer drinking.

Sunshine…..ever wondered what sunshine might look like in a can?  The folks at Oskar Blues have managed to take the best virtues of sunshine, golden yellow, wholesome, refreshing, awesome, and cram them all into a 12oz can of “Damn Good!”  They call this can of wonderful, Mama’s Lil Yella Pils.  For me, the best summer brews are crisp, clean, light to medium in body, with subtle hoppy character, and cold.  Mama’s Lil Yella Pils embodies all the qualities of a great pilsner.  Oskar Blues is known for brewing rich, tasty beers that pack a lot of flavor, and a wallop of alcohol.  The average alcohol content of their other four brews, is about 8.5% ABV. Don’t get me wrong.  I’m a HUGE fan of all of Oskar’s brews.  I’m particularly fond of Dale’s Pale Ale, Gordon, and Ten Fidy.  Allow me to digress a moment to deliver a warning: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER drink more than three Gordons in a single drinking session.  You’ll end up going to places you were never meant to go, and doing things you weren’t meant to do.  You’ll have a good time doing them, but you’ll be ashamed of yourself the next morning.  To boot, you’ll be as dry as an Austin summer with a hangover unlike any you’ve ever known.  Beware the Gordon.  It’s TASTY, but dangerous.  Mama’s is safer, and more subtle.  She clocks in at only 5.3% ABV, and is lightly hopped at 35 IBUs (International Bittering Units).  Made with 100% malted barley (because FUCK rice and corn!), German specialty malts, and Saaz hops, Mama’s is what an American Pilsner should be.  Common in some pilsners, there isn’t a hint of skunk in Mama’s.  Her aroma, and taste are both clean.  So long as you drink her while she’s cold.  This mama’s a bitter crone if she gets left in the heat.  Might wanna bring along your beer koozie if you plan to drink ’round the barbecue or pool.  Mama’s only downfall is not really her fault, she’s pricey.  As much as $9.49 a six-pack at Central Market, and as high as $9.99 at Live Oak Market, and Whip In.  She’s well worth the cost though.  If you can find her for less than $9 let us all know.

Light on the alcohol, but rich in flavor, and character, Mama’s Lil Yella Pils is the ideal summer session beer.  If you haven’t had one yet, finish this post, which is nearly done, and treat yourself to a sixer.  While you’re on your way home, your sixer of Mama’s riding shotgun, give me a call.  ‘Cause it’s probably been too long since we drank a pint.

Please drop a quick comment and let us all know what you’ve been drinking this summer.

Cheers! To your Mama and mine!