Brewing beer is a science that brewers work hard to perfect and customize to fit their brand’s tastes. However, it’s important to remember the science of packaging when it comes time to can your unique creations. When a beer is sealed in an aluminum can, a double seam is formed that helps contain the beer. The formed double seam also ensures your product is shelf stable and, when formed correctly, minimizes your packaging costs and keeps your brand integrity intact.
Can Seams Save the Beer
On the surface, can seams may appear to simply be a mechanism for keeping the lid of the can on so that beer can be distributed, but can seams also play an important role in keeping oxygen out of the can. Why is keeping oxygen out of a finished canned beverage so important?
Oxygen, while a needed component during the brewing process, becomes an enemy to finished beer and must be minimized as much as possible. Oxygen reacts to various compounds that can affect the taste of beer. For example, hoppy IPAs lose their edge when oxygen oxidizes the aroma compounds and darker beers can get that “stale beer” taste when oxygen reacts with the color compounds.
Leaking Can Seam Example
Undergoing double seam formation during the seaming process, aluminum cans limit oxygen coming in contact with liquid over time. In fact, can seams limit more oxygen than even a crown closure on a bottle. As a result, when properly seamed, cans ensure more of your product is safely distributed and help minimize your product losses. As a bonus, making that quality seam can extend your beer’s shelf life up to 6 months.
Sustainability is an Opportunity
In 2025, there is a major opportunity in the beer market in the form of environmental stewardship and sustainability. Research shows that consumers are gravitating towards brands that demonstrate responsible brewing, carbon footprint reduction, and especially recyclable/eco-friendly packaging. Aluminum cans are infinitely recyclable without losing quality. If can seams are managed correctly, not only can you reduce operating costs and mitigate product loss but also you have the opportunity to resonate with Gen Z’s and Millenials’ preferences of beer brands that make sustainability efforts.
To maximize sustainability, breweries should create quality control processes that include conducting can seam inspections. Doing so will help ensure your canning equipment is creating those air-tight seams that will keep your beer fresh and shelf stable.
