A THIRSTY snake found a well-known Australian beverage far from a refreshing drop when it got stuck inside an empty beer can.

The distressed lowland copperhead snake was found writhing in Kyneton-Trentham Rd near Kyneton, north-west of Melbourne, by a resident.

The quick-thinking animal lover diverted traffic and called snake collector Manfred Zabinskas, who slowly trimmed back the aluminium to free the reptile.

"He was extremely stressed, frantic and panicking and was hissing and foaming at the mouth when I freed him," Mr Zabinskas told Sunbury Leader.

Mr Zabinskas said Saturday's incident was not uncommon.

"A copperhead is a timid snake and when startled they will often look for the first hiding place to get away from trouble," he said.

"It’s been an ongoing joke among snake catchers.

"For some reason it’s always a VB can that has been inviting for many snakes."

The snake escaped his boozy ordeal unscathed and is recuperating at Mr Zabinskas' animal shelter.

For more go to Sunbury Leader

