KALAMAZOO, MI --

Oberon Ale and Two Hearted Ale will be offered in 16 ounce cans starting late April 2014,

announced Friday.

Bell's Brewery Inc. will offer Oberon and Two Hearted in 16-ounce cans starting in April 2014.

The cans will be available to purchase in 16-ounce four-packs in all markets that carry Bell's beer. Bell's also plans to offer seasonal beers in cans in the future, including Best Brown Ale, Winter White Ale and Smitten Golden Rye Ale.

"This new option will allow our fans to take our beer to places where glass is not allowed," said Bell's Vice President Laura Bell. "It opens up a lot of new opportunities to enjoy Bell’s beer and that’s a win for everyone. We are all very excited about this."

The Two Hearted can design will feature a local Kalamazoo artist's illustration from a previously retired label that was first introduced in the late 1990s.

Bell's canning line is part of the brewery's recent expansion, which included 12 800-barrel fermenters at the Comstock brewery. The filler from KHS USA Inc. near Milwaukee, Wis. will have the capacity to fill 500 cans a minute. The cans are a product of Ball Corp. in Denver.

Founder Larry Bell said earlier this year he hoped to can beer by March of 2014. He halted plans to can in 2012 while he positioned to buy out other shareholders of the company.

Brewery officials announced earlier this week they would start selling growlers at the Bell's General Store in downtown Kalamazoo.