Companies Switching From Glass To Metal

In this Thursday, Jan. 26, 2011 photo, cans of beer are sorted at the Baxter Brewing Co., in Lewiston, Maine. The beer company has joined a growing number of small craft-beer breweries distributing their brews in cans, rather than in bottles. A decade ago, it's believed there weren't any U.S. craft breweries canning their suds. Nowadays, nearly 100 are selling at least one beer variety in metal. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach)

Clarke Canfield, Associated Press, On Sunday January 30, 2011, 1:03 pm

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) -- Canned beer isn't just for swilling anymore.
Baxter Brewing in Maine has joined a growing number of small craft-beer breweries distributing their brews in cans -- just like mainstream mass-produced beers -- rather than in bottles. A decade ago, it's believed there weren't any U.S. craft breweries canning their suds. Nowadays, nearly 100 sell at least one beer variety in metal.
Baxter Brewing founder and president Luke Livingston said cans are good for the beer, the environment and consumers, because they're easy to take to places like camping trips and golf outings. Still, cans in some quarters have to overcome the stereotype of chugging contests or a beer-bellied John Belushi crushing cans on his forehead in the 1978 movie "Animal House."