According to the National Beer Wholesalers Association, 60% of beer sold in the US comes in aluminum cans, and there are probably a few reasons for its popularity—cans chill beer quickly, are strong yet lightweight, and are easier to stack and store.
Of course, aluminum is the metal of choice for beer cans, but that wasn’t always the case. Early beer cans were made using steel, which addressed several contemporary challenges regarding transportation and delivery from brewery to customer. Roads, highways, and truck suspensions were far less advanced a century ago, and the lighter and stronger cans were less prone to breakage.
By the 1930s, beer packaged in steel cans became widely available. Unfortunately, the steel cans created new problems while solving old ones. They weren’t recyclable, and no such collection programs existed yet. The steel cans were stamped together, and it was still possible for them to leak. Unlike glass bottles, the steel cans imparted an unpleasant metallic taste to the beverage. Also, tin cans were considered worthless when empty and became a source of unsightly pollution.
