tasty cans

[ilanarama]

So now that it's outdoors recreation season, my thoughts turn to Good Beer What Is Available In Cans. For my river trips and mtb camping, I go with New Belgium Fat Tire and Ska ESB as base "cheap" beers (okay, a six of Tecate also, which used to be our river trip standby, and we still like it for something lighter), along with Santa Fe Octoberfest (I'm going to try their Irish Red Ale and Java Stout this year) and Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout for treats.

Any recommendations for delicious beer available in cans? As you can probably tell I tend to the darker/maltier rather than the hoppier side of things, though for you hops fans I can recommend Ska Modus Hoperandi.

Feel free to rhapsodize over your favorites in comments. I'm especially interested in cans available in Colorado.

Comments

[fullygoldy]

I'm not sure if you get Wisconsin's "Capitol" beers, but they put their classic amber and their pale ale in cans, and they're a staple for our river/camping trips. I've noticed a couple of others have become available in cans, but I haven't checked them out yet. I'll try to report back. I'm looking forward to the season of "no bottles please" immensely.

ION, Crispin cider is now available in a 3L box! Yes, like box wine, but so much better!

[ilanarama]

I love ambers! But I just checked their handy-dandy beerfinder (http://www.capital-brewery.com/BeerFinder.aspx) and alas not available within 50 miles of me.

And ooh, cider in a box? Mmm. The Black Box wine isn't bad, but basically box wine is for when quantity (and portability) trump quality... But I'm really happy that so many decent beers are available in cans now. Not a hardship at all any more.

[fullygoldy]

Well, we've mailed the 12-pack of Pale Ale cans before. If you're really interested in trying out the Amber, we could work something out.

[metawidget]

I don't know what their U.S./Colorado availability is, but Mill Street (Toronto) produces a kind of glorious but scarily easy-drinking lemon ice tea beer (that is still beer): http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/mill-street-lemon-tea-beer/103610/ . I'm also partial to Boddington's and Tetley's for easy-to-find, low-key, smooth beers in cans (that you should really pour into a glass). None of these three will hit you over the head with hops :)

[ilanarama]

Haven't seen the Mill Street but it sounds like something that might be nice for hot weather raft trips. I've had Boddington's before and I'd rather have domestic craft, though it beats domestic commercial by a mile!

[h4hahn]

I love Oskar Blues hoppy varities. Sounds like that may not be your thing ,but even though I haven't tried their darker beers I would recommend them based off the quality of what I am familar with.

Also Avery brewing is offering several of their beers in cans now. Another solid option in my opinion.

You probably have more choices out in CO than I do. You'll have to let us know if you find anything particularly noteworthy.

[ilanarama]

I've had some Oskar Blues, very good stuff but I think it's even more pricy than the Anderson Valley. I'm not sure I've had any of their darker beers (or if they are sold down here...must check, though, thanks for the suggestion.)

I haven't seen Avery in cans here, but I will ask at my liquor store (or check some others in the area) - we get Avery, so they ought to be able to get it!

Yeah, CO is pretty good for beer. And that's not even counting our SIX local craft/micro/brewpubs here in Durango...

[evilawyer]

I enjoy Uncommon Brewers canned lager with coriander and lime. Very nice at the right temperature.

[ilanarama]

Coriander and lime sound like an interesting taste addition!

[metawidget]

Mill Street's Belgian Wit (sadly not in cans) has a huge whack of coriander flavour and some citrus to boot, and it is really special, so yeah: coriander in beer is good :)