Six-packs of West Virginia-made canned beer will soon be hitting retailers’ shelves for the first time since 1971. This is really big news for the state’s craft beer scene. Heck, it’s huge news for WV beer period. Historic!

As 12 oz. cans of Mothman Black IPA rolled off the canning line this week, Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company (GVBC) took a big step toward becoming West Virginia’s premier craft brewery.

GVBC Motto: Get Out, Explore, Bring Beer

“Getting our beer out in cans really brings our motto to fruition,” says Dave Kucera, brewery president. “Cans will allow our beer to go with you down the beautiful WV rivers and streams, to your favorite mountain top, or to your own backyard.”

Next up, GVBC will can its popular Wild Trail Pale Ale on January 12. Consumers should begin finding GVBC canned six packs on retailer shelves later in the month. Along with Wild Trail and Mothman cans, GVCB will also release its first seasonal beer. Available only in sixth-barrels, Winter Run IPA uses copious amounts of Simcoe, Amarillo, Mosaic, and Chinook hops, along with a 6.8% ABV to bring hophead-satisfying taste and warmth to those cold winter days.

Aluminum cans have long been the preferred package for beer. It has many advantage over glass that are especially appreciated by the craft beer community. Some of these include:

keeping beer fresher because no spoiling air or light can enter;

being more environmentally friendly due to its lighter shipping weight, more compact size, and aluminum’s greater propensity for recycling versus glass;

its lighter weight, size and non-breakable quality make it better for backpackers, boaters, pool and beach goers, and spectator sports;

beer chills faster in aluminum cans versus glass.

Kucera explained that their cans will better match the their customer’s preferences, who in majority do most of their beer drinking at home. Previously, GVBC only offered beer in kegs, so basically limiting its consumption to bars and restaurants, thereby missing a large segment of the market.

Kucera’s assertion is backed up by data that shows, nationally, cans own over 50 percent of the total beer market, with draught accounting for only a bit over 10 percent market share. One can see the great sales growth potential for breweries that add canning to their package mix.

First WV can in 44 years

The last time the West Virginia market saw a locally produced and packaged six-pack of cans was back in 1970-71, when West Virginia Pilsner and Charge beers were still made and packaged at Huntington, WV. The brewery owners ceased production there in 1971.

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