Shortage of beer cans affecting Ontario brewers

New York – A shortage of beer cans affecting numerous brewers in the US has also struck Ontario breweries, reports the New York Times.

Brewers and distributors began to notice a shortage of cans over the summer. Orders normally taking two to four weeks to fill were suddenly taking eight weeks, then twelve or longer according to the New York Times.

“It’s been on the minds of almost every Ontario brewery”

Crown, Ball and Rexam – three of the largest beverage can manufacturers – say they are working to address the growing need.

Demand for format, particularly 473ml, has peaked over the last few years due to its superior seal, protection from light, storage, portability, and larger label surface. Falling canning system costs and the introduction of mobile canning have also contributed to its popularity.

Whitewater Brewing in Ottawa said to the New York Times, “we were able to make an order pre-emptively before there was a panic. Others were not so lucky.” The brewery, who sources their cans from a third-party distributor, lent cans to nearby Ontario brewers so they could meet order deadlines, according to the article.

“It’s been on the minds of almost every Ontario brewery,” says Mark Murphy of Toronto’s Left Field Brewery.

“Plus, new breweries looking to get into canning have also been affected. You may have noticed a few cans that are normally printed had to switch to a label or shrink sleeve temporarily because all they could get a hold of were silver bullets,” adds Murphy.

At the LCBO, cans account for approximately 60% of its beer and cider selection (year-to-date).