Canning beer? “What’s that?” you ask. It’s the revolution taking home brewing to the next level. Producers of small and medium-sized volumes of craft beer, cider, wine, cold brewed coffee, kombucha and other beverages call it micro-canning. We discovered it when customers began ordering our labels for beer cans.

Labels for Aluminum Cans

The label material we use is perfect for cans due to its waterproof, adhesive, and temperature-tolerant nature; translated it means it withstands cold temperatures and submersion in ice and water. Those are just the qualities needed for labeling cans of beer. We sell our beer can labels in very low quantities starting at only one label for $3.75 and 6 labels for $5.94. Pricing is tiered to provide a greater discount per beer can label as you purchase higher quantities. For home brewers and breweries that trade or sell small batches, our beer can labels make perfect sense; you get a professional looking can of beer and the flexibility of ordering small quantities with a fast turnaround time.

Some good reasons for using cans instead of glass bottles

1. Aluminum cans keep out oxygen and light which can affect taste and freshness. UV light reacts to compounds in beer to give it an ‘off’ taste.
2. Cans are easy to stack and lighter in weight than glass. One can of beer weighs 13.1 ounces. One bottle of beer weighs 19.2 ounces.
3. Unlike bottles, cans are unbreakable and go anywhere making them more portable. They are accepted in most environments, think boating, music venues, etc.
4. Aluminum cans are more likely to be recycled. They contain an average of 86% recycled aluminum.
5.  With canning beer you do a quick soak, sanitize and fill, no messing around.
6. Beverages in cans chill faster than other materials.
7. Trading home brewed beer with friends across the country? Shipping glass is always a risk. With shipping cans there is less worry about breakage during shipping.

Aluminum Beer Can Labels – What Size Works?

Unlabeled aluminum cans are called “brite.” They come in a variety of sizes from 5.5 ounces to 32 ounces. The standard size aluminum can in the U. S. is 12  fl. ounces. This can is 2.12 inches in diameter and 4.75 inches tall. Which makes it perfect for our standard beer label which is 4 inches wide by 3.5 inches high.

Label Size Recommendation for 12 ounce cans

If you’re planning on canning beer with the larger 16 ounce can, also know as a tall can or a pounder, then use what we call our standard wine label size which is 3.5 inches wide by 4 inches high; basically the beer label size rotated 90 degrees. We also offer other label sizes which are worth looking into if you’re canning beer in a different can size. Crowlers, yes Crowlers not Growlers, are usually 32 ounces, are filled and sealed on site at your favorite micro-brewery, growler bar and even cold brew coffee bars.  The 4″ x 4″, 5″ x 5″, or 6″ x 4″ label sizes are options for an aluminum can this size.

Label Size Recommendation for 16 ounce cans

How to Make a Beer Can Label

FIRST: Determine which size label fits best on your can. Do that by measuring the height and the circumference of your can. To measure around the can, the circumference, a sewing tape measure made of fabric is the best tool, but if you don’t have one, simply wrap a string around the can and cut it where the string ends meet. Measure the string flat using a ruler. Next, measure the height of the can between the indent on the top and bottom using a standard ruler. These measurements tell you if you need to use the beer label or the wine label for your can.

SECOND: Decide if you want to use a pre-made template and edit the text or start from scratch. When using a pre-made template simply edit the text lines or, to make more customization, click the orange Customize More button below the lines of text. You’ll enter the online designer where endless customization options are available. If you go the route of creating your own design from scratch, the blank canvas is displayed with all of the customization options. Take some time to explore them.

THIRD: When your artwork is finished, place your order online. Within two business days we’ll ship out your beer can labels.

Making a Beer Can Label for Selling Beer

If you’re making a beer can label for an alcoholic beer you plan on selling please visit this government page to find out what the TTB requires your label to display. There are very strict guidelines, including forms and specific steps for approval, of a beer label. One of the items that must be on the label when selling beer is the Surgeon General’s Warning. Of course, if you’re just making home brew to share and drink with family and friends then the government requirements don’t apply to you.

Right click and save this free PNG file of the  government warning for your beer can label. Upload and resize in the online designer.

Resources for Beer Cans, Lids, and Can Seamers for Home Brewers

Thinking of switching to aluminum cans from bottles for your beer? Here is a list of resources to get you started; from all the can sizes available to purchasing products to can beer at home. This should help you get started:

• Ball Standard Aluminum Cans
• Ball Beverage Can Ends
• Wells Can Company Beer Cans & Lids
• Cans & Ends Oktober Designs
• Oktober Designs Can Seamers
• Manual Beer Can Sealer from All American

If you have questions about canning beer, one good source is HomeBrewTalk forums. Simply type ‘canning beer’ in their search bar to read discussions about relevant topics. We’re experts on beer labels, not canning, so ask us any question you like about beer can labels and we can help. We’re available on live chat weekdays from 9 am to 3 pm Pacific time. Hit us up on email at info at bottleyourbrand.com.