Today, Jan. 24, is Beer Can Appreciation Day, celebrating the day that beer was first sold in cans in 1935. The Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company is often credited with being the original beer-in-cans distributor, the first being Krueger’s Finest.

Gottfried Krueger came to the United States in 1854, planning to help his uncle, who was in the brewing business. Krueger found great success, but died during Prohibition, in 1926. However, his sons did take over the reigns of the company after Prohibition ended, and were able to maintain the company for a time, but it was eventually sold to outsiders. In 1961, the company was closed. However, with the rise of popularity of micro-brewing, the company has recently found new life and, according to the company website, will soon be offering “a new generation of Krueger beers.”

Cans of today are aluminum, with a lid lined with a water-based coating, Oskar Blues Brewery (OBB) explains. “Beer and metal never touch, and there is no exchange of flavor.” They also say that beer packaged in aluminum cans stays fresher longer, as damage from light and oxygen is completely eliminated.

Other benefits of the aluminum can include:

Lightweight cans help reduce beer producers’ fuel usage and carbon footprint for shipping.

Aluminum cans are often welcome where breakable glass bottles are not allowed.

Aluminum cans are, as most people today realize, recyclable. According to OBB, not only are they the most easily and frequently recycled packaging for beverages, “a recycled aluminum can generates 95% less pollution than one made from scratch and requires 96% less energy."

As an example of the power of recycling, OBB says that a single recycled can “saves the energy equivalent of 6 ounces of gas or the electricity to power a guitar amplifier for two hours."

As the Krueger Brewing Company indicated, there has been a growing interest in micro-brews in the beer-drinking community, which has led to more individuals trying their hand at home brewing. For most, the best option to get started is to purchase a pre-assembled brewing kit. Two of the most popular brands on the market today are the Mr. Beer Kits and the Cooper’s DIY Brewing Kit. However, one can also put together a kit from scratch. Items needed include:

Fermenting bucket with lid

Bottling bucket with spigot

Fermentation lock

Siphon tubing

Bottle filler

Bottle brush

Auto Siphon

Bottle capper

Hydrometer

Sanitizing Cleanser

Of course, home brews are bottled, not canned, as a matter of necessity. But, for those who prefer to raise their brew in bottles, they can still honor the humble aluminum can with a good ol’ beer can chicken recipe. The following is a five-star-reviewed offering from Bob Blumer on The Food Network website:

Ingredients

1 (4-pound) whole chicken

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

3 tablespoons of your favorite dry spice rub

1 can beer

Directions

Remove neck and giblets from chicken and discard. Rinse chicken inside and out, and pat dry with paper towels. Rub chicken lightly with oil then rub inside and out with salt, pepper and dry rub. Set aside.

Open beer can and take several gulps (make them big gulps so that the can is half full). Place beer can on a solid surface. Grabbing a chicken leg in each hand, plunk the bird cavity over the beer can. Transfer the bird-on-a-can to your grill and place in the center of the grate, balancing the bird on its 2 legs and the can like a tripod.

Cook the chicken over medium-high, indirect heat (i.e. no coals or burners on directly under the bird), with the grill cover on, for approximately 1 1/4 hours or until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F in the breast area and 180 degrees F in the thigh, or until the thigh juice runs clear when stabbed with a sharp knife. Remove from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Cheers!

Image: Wikimedia Commons