Beer is a well loved and revered beverage that’s been part of society for hundreds of years. No matter the style, beer is enjoyed by millions of people every day. The brewing of beer has remained much the same over time, but how it reaches the consumer has changed dramatically over the last century.

No matter how beer is packaged, the brewing process is essentially the same. Ingredients like barley, malt, rice, corn, yeast, hops and often others are basically mixed and fermented together by brewers. The end result is beer, a beloved beverage and a large part of relaxed, friendly social activities. While brewing techniques have improved with technological advances, it seems the best beer for you is actually produced and packaged the way it has been done for hundreds of years.

Canning and Bottling Beer

In the early-mid 1900’s, bottling and later canning of beer became extremely popular. After Prohibition was repealed in 1933, the beer industry began consolidating from literally thousands of local breweries producing fresh, local beer to large regional brewers who could reach a larger market. That consolidation continues today, notwithstanding the brewpub craze of the 1990’s. Advances in packaging and transportation have allowed large brewers like Anheuser-Busch, Miller, and Coors to distribute nationally and internationally.

Yet, something important has been lost, and that is the freshness and taste of local, direct from the keg beer. Walk into any bar today, and chances are you’ll see people drinking beer directly out of the bottle. While perhaps convenient, beer wasn’t meant to be consumed right from the bottle, or the can for that matter.

Keg beer is pure beer, as it was meant to be brewed. There’s nothing wrong with bottled or canned beer, but it is produced differently than keg beer, out of necessity. To ensure a long shelf life without refrigeration, bottled and canned beer often has added preservatives and injected carbonation to make certain the beer remains stable. On the other hand, keg beer is a direct, natural product.

The result of keg beer not requiring preservatives is a clean, smooth, natural taste. This is how beer is meant to be enjoyed. If you’ve ever been on a brewery tour, notice how you’re served your samples - direct from the keg, i.e. off the tap. This is beer at its best - freshly brewed with no preservatives.

Here’s a little experiment to try the next time you’re out enjoying beer. First, enjoy your beer only from the bottle or can. Now, the next time out, drink beer only on tap (from the keg). Notice the difference in how your digestion is affected. You’ll have less intestinal gas (burping!) from keg beer, as there’s no additional carbonation added. The beer is smoother, mellower, and less carbonated, making for a better tasting experience.

Beer is a great and well loved beverage, no matter how it’s consumed. However, next time out, enjoy your beer as the brewer intended - direct from the keg. You’ll appreciate the smoother taste!