Today is a monumental day in beer history. On January 24th, we celebrate Beer Can Appreciation Day in remembrance of the first day beer was ever sold in cans. 

According to history, a brewery called Kruegers in New Jersey released the first beer in cans in 1935. And while World War II put a dent in canned production, by 1969 the sales of canned beer finally exceeded those of bottled beer for the first time. 

It's hard to remember a time when bottles were the choice way to drink beer. At this moment, cans in all their glorious formats – 12oz, 16oz, 19.2oz, etc. – dominate the industry. 

In other words, in the modern craft beer landscape…can is king! 

In fact, the National Beer Wholesalers Association reported that "beer sold in can packages rose from 60% in 2019 to 67% in 2020."

And during the pandemic, pretty much every brewery and beverage company turned to cans when they were forced to close their taprooms. Many either put beer in cans for the first time or ramped up their can production to keep up with online, to-go, curbside, and off-premise sales. 

The demand actually caused an aluminum can shortage in the industry, coined "The Candemic." By February 2021, Bob Pease, President/CEO of the Brewers Association, sent an urgent letter to can manufacturers urging immediate action. Finally between March and June of last year, can production started to catch up with the demand, but according to David Racino, co-founder and CEO of Austin, Texas-based can supplier American Canning, the industry can expect the can crunch to last for several more years. 

Still, breweries have persevered, proving once again that the craft beer industry is much like The Little Engine That Could… "I think I can, I think I can!"

Overall, pretty much every brewery from the small nanos to the regional microbreweries to even the larger macrobreweries put their beer into cans. 

And for good reason. Cans are an easier way for consumers to drink beer and pack them in a cooler or a beer fridge. Plus, science tells us that they block both light and oxygen (the kryptonite to beer) from getting into your precious liquid. 

Lastly, they make a great canvas for creative labels and designs. 

All in all, cans are extremely important to breweries and drinkers across the world. So on this monumental day, we're celebrating the Untappd way with a new badge! Just check in any beer that comes in a can format. 

To earn this badge: Check-in any one (1) beer with a can container. 

Together we can!