VIDEO: Cheers to canned beer

When Cask Global Canning Solutions unveiled its first micro-canning system in the late ’90s, the craft brewing industry scoffed.

Founder and CEO Peter Love vividly remembers the reception his canning machine received at a craft beer trade show in 2003.

“A gentleman came by and said, ‘that’s the dumbest idea I ever heard. Everyone knows that good craft beer needs to be packaged in a glass bottle.’”

Not anymore.

Brewers are realizing the benefits of canning – including lower costs, longer shelf life and easier handling.

Thanks to a donation by Cask Global Canning Solutions to the Beer Industry Program at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Tivoli Brewing Company is now one of them.

Education in the (beer) can from MSU Denver on Vimeo.

In 2014, bottles made up 84 percent of craft beer packaging, while cans comprised just 16 percent, according to the Brewers Association. Last year, brewers packaged 40 percent of their beer in cans, and the trend shows no signs of slowing.

“We now have 1,000 customers in 54 countries around the world that are canning their beer,” Love said.

Located on the Auraria Campus, Colorado’s iconic Tivoli Brewing Company recently fired up the new Cask canning line with the help of MSU Denver brewing students.

“We’re able to give our students real-world experience, while working with such great partners,” said Scott Kerkmans, director of the MSU Denver Beer Industry Program.