On this day in 1935 the Krueger Brewing Company of Richmond, Virginia, introduced the first practical beer can. This might not seem of much significance but before ‘off-premise’ (six packs) most beer was consumed on-premise, meaning bars, saloons, restaurants and hotels. After the introduction of off premise sales American drinking habits changed when they realized beer was thereafter mobile, they could drink it almost anywhere.
The one drawback was the lack of an easy-opening top. It required a can opener that was affectionately called a ‘Church Key’. The public was so unaccustomed to the concept that instructions were printed on the side explaining its use.
Beer Fest make a great Valentine’s Day gift available now at MBBF.org or follow this link northamericanbrewers.org/ticket-store/
Copyright Gregg & Lisa Smith – Their latest book “Beer Drinkers Dictionary” is available on Amazon
