How to Package Craft Beer in PET Cans
"Crowlers" (Can + Growler) changed the brewery game. They allow customers to take home fresh draft beer in a sealed 32oz or 500ml can. But aluminum crowlers are expensive and heavy. Enter the PET Crowler. It’s lighter, cheaper, and lets the beer color shine. Here is how to fill them properly.
1Step 1: The Clean Can
Sanitation is the number one rule in brewing. Ensure your PET Cans are rinsed with a food-safe sanitizer (like Star San) immediately before filling, even if they look clean.
2Step 2: CO2 Purging
Oxygen ruins beer (oxidation leads to cardboard-like flavors).
- The Process: Use a tube to spray CO2 gas into the empty can for a few seconds. CO2 is heavier than air, so it settles at the bottom, creating a protective blanket.
3Step 3: Bottom-Up Filling
Place a filling tube all the way to the bottom of the can. Open the tap.
- Technique: Fill slowly to minimize foam. Filling from the bottom up ensures the beer pushes the air out of the can as it rises.
- Cap on Foam: Let the foam rise slightly over the rim of the can ("capping on foam"). This foam pushes out the last bit of oxygen right before you place the lid.
4Step 4: Sealing
Place the lid on top of the foam and seam immediately.
- Lid Type: For beer, we strongly recommend the Standard Easy Open End. Full aperture ends can sometimes be difficult to open if the internal pressure is very high, and they spill easily.
5Step 5: Labeling the Batch
Since you might use the same cans for different beers, use a writable sticker or a sharpie on the lid to mark the beer style (e.g., "IPA," "Stout") and the "Canned On" date. This encourages customers to drink it fresh!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose PET Crowlers over aluminum cans?
PET Crowlers are lighter and more cost-effective than aluminum. Additionally, their transparency allows the natural color of the craft beer to be visible to the customer.
How does CO2 purging help maintain beer quality?
Oxygen is the enemy of beer, causing oxidation and off-flavors. Purging with CO2 creates a heavy gas blanket that displaces oxygen before filling.
What is the "capping on foam" technique?
This involves filling the can until a small amount of foam rises over the rim. When the lid is placed on the foam, it ensures that no air is trapped inside the can.
Which lid is best for high-pressure beer packaging?
The Standard Easy Open End is highly recommended for beer. It handles internal pressure better and is safer to open compared to full aperture ends.
Is sanitation necessary for new PET cans?
Yes, sanitation is critical. Cans should always be rinsed with a food-safe sanitizer like Star San immediately before the filling process to ensure product safety.
How should I manage different beer styles in the same PET cans?
Use writable stickers or permanent markers on the lid to indicate the beer style and the "Canned On" date to help customers identify the product and ensure freshness.
