Cahaba Brewing is expanding in 2015 in a big way.

The Birmingham microbrewery is preparing to launch its beers in cans for the first time - and a major expansion that will allow the brewery to expand both production and its tasting room.

The first beer in cans - the American Blonde Ale - will hit shelves next week. They'll be sold at Piggly Wiggly, Western Supermarkets and Whole Foods in Birmingham, in addition to specialty stores like Hop City and Highland Package stores. They'll also be available in Winn-Dixies in Tuscaloosa.

Five friends started Cahaba Brewing in 2012 - for each, the brewery has been a part time job. But the brewery has recently taken on its first full-time employee as the brand has expanded.

"We love our space, we just need bigger equipment," said Eric Meyer, one of the brewery's partners.

The partners are looking at spaces in Birmingham but haven't finalized a location yet. A new location will allow them to get bigger equipment and expand production.

"Our tanks are going to be 60 (barrels) instead of seven (barrels)," said Jake Hayes, one of the partners.

The brewery hopes to start moving by Labor Day, but there's a lot up in the air.

Avondale Brewing recently started selling beer in cans, and Good People Brewing recently released re-designed cans.

"Years ago, bottles were the craze, really stepping out of the macro-brewers. Craft breweries differentiated themselves from the Budweisers and the Coors of the world by putting their beer in packaging, he said. "It was a differentiation."

"Glass is very hard to recycle, cans are very easy to recycle. Bottles are brown, which protect the beer from the light, but cans are completely opaque, so they protect beer even better. A can is a far superior vessel for the beer," Meyer said.

American Blonde is the best selling beer at Cahaba, making it a natural choice for canning, Hayes said.

"It helps people come over to craft - you could almost call it a 'gateway beer,'" Hayes said.

Hayes is in medical device sales full-time. All five partners are family guys, all with very patient wives, Meyer said.

"I never thought I'd be here. I mean, I'm a fireman by trade. I've got a master's degree in Emergency Management," Meyer said. "When Jake and I first sat around the kitchen table talking about starting a small brewery, I'm a realist, so I said, if I can make a certain amount of beer and get it sold, I'll be happy."