Roosters goes for canned beer

The Knaresborough-based company has invested in a canning machine, which will make it the region’s first micro-canner.

“The move into the canned beer market reflects the brewery’s continued focus on quality and comes as part of a year of significant investment,” explained owner Tom Fozard.

Three beers will be put into 330ml cans initially: Yankee, the brewery’s flagship beer; Fort Smith, an American-style pale ale, and Baby-Faced Assassin, an IPA.

Cans are becoming increasingly popular with both brewers and consumers because of the advantages they offer over bottles: recyclable, lightweight and they keep out oxygen and light.

Fozard also hopes that the cans will open up the export market for the business.

“We anticipate that there will be a good deal of interest in our canned beers, which will be attractive not only to off-licenses and bars but also to restaurants that want a high-quality, local beer portfolio with no possibility of wastage.”

In February last year JD Wetherspoon introduced canned beer into its 900 pubs.