National Beer Can Appreciation Day is an annual celebration that honors the invention and popularity of beer cans. This unique holiday recognizes the significant impact cans have had on the beer industry and drinking culture.
Quick Facts
When is it?: January 24th
Tagged as: Food & Beverage Holiday
What’s the hashtag?: #BeerCanAppreciationDay
When was it founded?: Late 1970s
Who founded it?: Unknown, but it commemorates the first sale of canned beer in 1935
History of National Beer Can Appreciation Day
National Beer Can Appreciation Day marks the anniversary of the first beer sold in cans on January 24, 1935. Krueger’s Finest Beer and Krueger’s Cream Ale, produced by the Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company, were the pioneers in this revolutionary packaging method. The American Can Company played a crucial role by developing a can that could withstand the pressure of carbonated beverages.
Timeline
- 1909: American Can Company begins working on canning beer
- 1933: Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company makes a canning deal with American Can Company
- January 24, 1935: First beer cans sold to the public
- Summer 1935: Pabst becomes the first major brewer to can beer
- 1963: Pull tab introduced by Pittsburgh Brewing Company
- 1975: Stay tab introduced by Falls City Brewing Company
Dates by Next Year
| Year | Month and Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 24 | Friday |
| 2026 | January 24 | Saturday |
| 2027 | January 24 | Sunday |
| 2028 | January 24 | Monday |
| 2029 | January 24 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | January 24 | Thursday |
How National Beer Can Appreciation Day is Observed
People celebrate this day by enjoying their favorite canned beers, exploring new craft brews in cans, and appreciating the art and design of beer can labels. Some enthusiasts organize beer tasting events or start their own beer can collections. Recycling empty cans is also encouraged to highlight the environmental benefits of aluminum packaging.
Fun Facts About Beer Cans
- Beer cans chill faster than bottles.
- Cans are the most recycled beverage packaging in the world.
- They protect beer from light and oxygen better than bottles.
- One large keg of beer contains the liquid equivalent of 165 twelve-ounce cans.
- The first beer cans were opened with a church key.
Quiz
- In what year were beer cans first sold?
- Which brewing company first sold beer in cans?
- What innovation did Pittsburgh Brewing Company introduce in 1963?
(Answers: 1. 1935, 2. Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company, 3. Pull tab)
FAQs
Q: Why are beer cans preferred by some brewers?
A: Beer cans are lighter, cheaper to transport, and better at protecting beer from light and oxygen.
Q: How many beer cans were sold by the end of 1935?
A: Over 200 million beer cans were sold by 37 breweries.
Q: What was the initial reaction to canned beer?
A: 91% of people liked the canned beer in initial trials.
Related
- National Beer Day
- American Beer Day
- International Beer Day
- National Drink Beer Day