Monday Rant: No, You Can't

This weekend marked the 31st edition of the Great American Beer Festival. Before I begun this weeks ranting let me take some time to congratulate the many Pennsylvania breweries that brought home medals over the weekend. These breweries include Voodoo, Troegs and Lavery. That's just the cusp of breweries off the top of my head. There were at least a few more. Congratulations are in order even for the ones I left out. I'm an ardent supporter of Pennsylvania beer. I'd put it up against any state in the country.

There was one article I came across yesterday. In essence, it said that having 10 beers in cans that received medals over the weekend. The link dump site I found it on had a headline claiming that the feat is a sure sign of the times. Everyone is welcome to state their opinions. With that said, I think I have to state mine on this issue. Remember, it was the person that posted the link that made said claim. The web site was just passing on the information.

Craft beer in cans is still a slightly new and evolving thing. We have seen drastic growth in craft breweries canning their beers. All sorts of positives come from having our beer in cans. Cases are lighter, cans take up less space for storage, etc.

I'm happy that a web site dedicated to craft beer in cans made mention of the canned brews taking home some awards, but when readers start to claim that it's a sign of the times or coming of age I start to question.

The beers that won were deemed worthy because of the actual beer. Not because of what it's stored or shipped in. Cans are a positive for the beer scene, but let's not get started making brash claims. The beers that won would have won even if they were in Styrofoam cups. The cans had nothing to do with it.