I have been writing a fair bit lately here at onbeer.org about the effect of packaging, in particular about bottle vs. can. It is an issue that has captured my inquisitive nature. No matter at what level you discuss the issue – flavour, stability, environmental sustainability – there are opposing viewpoints and uncertain research. I have heard people passionately argue that they cannot taste a difference between bottle and can. I have also listened to others swear on a stack of Great Beer Guides that beer in a can tastes metallic.

As a way to work my own brain through some of this debate, I used my latest Beer 101 to look at the issue more in depth . I try to separate fact from fiction.In the column I don’t really reach a certain conclusion. The goal is to put out what evidence I could find and air some of the opposing views, allowing the reader to ponder it for themselves. I actually look at keg vs. bottle vs. can, but I think the keg debate is resolved – we all know beer tastes different on tap, and so I don’t spend a lot of time on it.

What I am saying is that I doubt my 800 words on the topic will lead to a consensus. I was just trying to add a calm voice to the debate. I will leave to you to judge whether I succeeded. Feel free to read the column here. [UPDATE: My apologies, I linked to the wrong column – I have corrected the link.]