The stigma is gone. For years, canned beers were derided for their metallic taste. Worse, the options were limited—few breweries canned beer that you’d want to sample, let alone drink 12 ounces of. Then, Oskar Blues started canning its flagship in 2002. And everything changed. Today, more than 500 craft breweries in more than 40 states have fomented the canned revolution.
And that’s a great thing. Cans save on space and are better for the environment because they’re lighter to ship. But they’re indispensable for the outdoors in other ways: their shatterproof packability and fresh taste, preserved from the depredations of sunlight.
The surge in canned-beer offerings—made possible by mobile canning services and consumer demand—has been excellent for beer aficionados. But the options can be daunting. Our solution? A taste test. After drinking hundreds of canned beers, we’ve put together the ultimate activity-based sampler list. No matter what your weekend plans are, there’s a beer for you.
Swami's India Pale Ale
Pizza Port Brewing Company
Best for: Hiking and Camping
Crack open this quintessential and you’ll be hit with a strong citrus and pine aroma that blends well with the flavor. Things start sweet, then transition to hoppy bitterness. With a nice light body and a dry finish with lingering hops, it’s crisp and refreshing while still being bold enough to complement spicy food.
Best for: Hiking and Camping
Crack open this quintessential and you’ll be hit with a strong citrus and pine aroma that blends well with the flavor. Things start sweet, then transition to hoppy bitterness. With a nice light body and a dry finish with lingering hops, it’s crisp and refreshing while still being bold enough to complement spicy food.
(Pizza Port)Heal the Bay IPA
Golden Road Brewing
Best for: Hiking and Camping
As the first and still one of the only breweries canning in Los Angeles, Golden Road gets it right. Of their three canned IPAs, is the most straightforward, with a bright and citrus-forward taste. Be prepared for the malt to be followed by a brisk blast of fruit. And enjoy the dry finish.
Best for: Hiking and Camping
As the first and still one of the only breweries canning in Los Angeles, Golden Road gets it right. Of their three canned IPAs, is the most straightforward, with a bright and citrus-forward taste. Be prepared for the malt to be followed by a brisk blast of fruit. And enjoy the dry finish.
(Golden Road Brewing)Hop Box Imperial IPA
Joseph James Brewing Company
Best for: Hiking and Camping
This with a long and strong (9.3% alcohol) finish will keep you sipping. You’ll be forgiven for drinking it like you would stiff cocktail. The brew has a strong hop aroma, and the caramel malts are exceptionally dark and sweet. Expect little carbonation, a dry finish, and some spiciness.
Best for: Hiking and Camping
This with a long and strong (9.3% alcohol) finish will keep you sipping. You’ll be forgiven for drinking it like you would stiff cocktail. The brew has a strong hop aroma, and the caramel malts are exceptionally dark and sweet. Expect little carbonation, a dry finish, and some spiciness.
(Joseph James Brewing)Second Fiddle Double IPA
Fiddlehead Brewing Company
Best for: Hiking and Camping
Just as certain scents can transport you back to a special place, a swig of this will have you pining for a campsite hammock, unless you’re already in one. The brew is dry hopped for over a month with nearly three pounds of Citra and Simcoe hops per barrel, so expect plenty of bitterness. But it remains surprisingly drinkable, with strong summer fruit throughout.
Best for: Hiking and Camping
Just as certain scents can transport you back to a special place, a swig of this will have you pining for a campsite hammock, unless you’re already in one. The brew is dry hopped for over a month with nearly three pounds of Citra and Simcoe hops per barrel, so expect plenty of bitterness. But it remains surprisingly drinkable, with strong summer fruit throughout.
(Fiddlehead Brewing)Outlaw India Pale Ale
Payette Brewing Company
Best for: Hiking and Camping
One of the most well rounded IPAs we tested, the hits everything you’d expect in a quality IPA. It’s crisp, refreshing, and full of a citrus, pine, and hop aroma and taste. Hop bitterness and notes of caramel from the malts combine for an unexpected fruit profile in Payette Brewing Company’s first foray into the world of cans.
Best for: Hiking and Camping
One of the most well rounded IPAs we tested, the hits everything you’d expect in a quality IPA. It’s crisp, refreshing, and full of a citrus, pine, and hop aroma and taste. Hop bitterness and notes of caramel from the malts combine for an unexpected fruit profile in Payette Brewing Company’s first foray into the world of cans.
(Payette Brewing)Saint Oskar Indica Black Lager
Oskar Blues/Saint Archer Brewery
Best for: Hiking and Camping
Canned collaborations are all the rage. partnered with to create this Indica Black Lager and even sent it our way in a 32 oz. “crowler”—like a growler, but in a can. Using experimental hops to meld a strong beer with dark color and a slightly crisp mouthfeel, they’ve smoothly balanced the caramel malts with light bitterness and a few sweet notes.
Best for: Hiking and Camping
Canned collaborations are all the rage. partnered with to create this Indica Black Lager and even sent it our way in a 32 oz. “crowler”—like a growler, but in a can. Using experimental hops to meld a strong beer with dark color and a slightly crisp mouthfeel, they’ve smoothly balanced the caramel malts with light bitterness and a few sweet notes.
(Saint Oskar)Del’s Shandy
Narragansett Brewing Company
Best for: Rafting and Fishing
We didn’t expect to like this , which, surprisingly, proved very difficult to put down. It’s a winner. The pairing of Narragansett Brewing’s lager with Del’s (a Rhode Island favorite) lemon concentrate is the ultimate refresher, with a balance of malty sweetness and lemonade tartness. When nice and cold, it tastes just like sweet lemon-water ice and gives you an easy buzz, without the sugar crash.
Best for: Rafting and Fishing
We didn’t expect to like this , which, surprisingly, proved very difficult to put down. It’s a winner. The pairing of Narragansett Brewing’s lager with Del’s (a Rhode Island favorite) lemon concentrate is the ultimate refresher, with a balance of malty sweetness and lemonade tartness. When nice and cold, it tastes just like sweet lemon-water ice and gives you an easy buzz, without the sugar crash.
(Narragansett Brewing)Hips Don’t Lie Bavarian-Style Weissbier
Lucette Brewing Company
Best for: Rafting and Fishing
Brewed with ample quantities of rose hips and honey, this unfiltered medium-body is refreshing. The rose hips—with a background of yeastiness—help it hit herbal notes, but the honey creates a dry finish.
Best for: Rafting and Fishing
Brewed with ample quantities of rose hips and honey, this unfiltered medium-body is refreshing. The rose hips—with a background of yeastiness—help it hit herbal notes, but the honey creates a dry finish.
(Lucette Brewing)Blonde
ᾱ’s
Best for: Rafting and Fishing
Just about every beer this Seattle-based brewery sent in was top-notch. But their —rich in flavor with a dry bite and a sweet finish—was a favorite. Because it’s single malt and hop, it’s not overly bitter and an easy drink. Perfect for a day in the sun.
Best for: Rafting and Fishing
Just about every beer this Seattle-based brewery sent in was top-notch. But their —rich in flavor with a dry bite and a sweet finish—was a favorite. Because it’s single malt and hop, it’s not overly bitter and an easy drink. Perfect for a day in the sun.
(Hilliard's)Boohai Red Ale
Crazy Mountain Brewing Company
Best for: Rafting and Fishing
It’s all about the New Zealand–sourced hops. has a deep blackberry flavor with a touch of pine. Combined with the Belgian malts, the hops yield a complex but drinkable flavor. You won’t want to down six of these in a sitting, but it’s a perfect brew to savor as you unwind.
Best for: Rafting and Fishing
It’s all about the New Zealand–sourced hops. has a deep blackberry flavor with a touch of pine. Combined with the Belgian malts, the hops yield a complex but drinkable flavor. You won’t want to down six of these in a sitting, but it’s a perfect brew to savor as you unwind.
(Crazy Mountain Brewing)Thai Style White IPA
Upslope Brewing Company
Best for: Rafting and Fishing
Probably the smoothest you’ll find, this is definitely one of the most interesting beers we tried. The ginger taste is undeniable—standing out among the seven Asian-inspired spices Upslope Brewing infuses in the brew—and is followed by hoppy citrus. As expected, it pairs well with sweeter dishes.
Best for: Rafting and Fishing
Probably the smoothest you’ll find, this is definitely one of the most interesting beers we tried. The ginger taste is undeniable—standing out among the seven Asian-inspired spices Upslope Brewing infuses in the brew—and is followed by hoppy citrus. As expected, it pairs well with sweeter dishes.
(Upslope Brewing)Summerfest Lager
Sierra Nevada
Best for: Rafting and Fishing
It’s not the first time they’ve made our short list, and it probably won’t be the last. Sierra Nevada beers are simply more balanced than the majority of canned offerings. is crisp, dry, and, above all else, incredibly drinkable. With a floral note and complex malt flavor, it’s the perfect warm-weather beer.
Best for: Rafting and Fishing
It’s not the first time they’ve made our short list, and it probably won’t be the last. Sierra Nevada beers are simply more balanced than the majority of canned offerings. is crisp, dry, and, above all else, incredibly drinkable. With a floral note and complex malt flavor, it’s the perfect warm-weather beer.
(Sierra Nevada)Imperial Java Stout
Santa Fe Brewing Company
Best for: Skiing and Snowboarding
A warning on the can reads, “Not for use with donuts,” which seems silly, until you taste just how similar is to coffee. Deeply aromatic, with a full body, it tastes of chocolate and hop bitterness; it’s hard to imagine drinking this beer at any time other than before noon or on a skiing trip.
Best for: Skiing and Snowboarding
A warning on the can reads, “Not for use with donuts,” which seems silly, until you taste just how similar is to coffee. Deeply aromatic, with a full body, it tastes of chocolate and hop bitterness; it’s hard to imagine drinking this beer at any time other than before noon or on a skiing trip.
(Santa Fe Brewing)Back in Black IPA
21st Amendment Brewery
Best for: Skiing and Snowboarding
At first, you’ll notice the hops—piney and grassy notes with some chocolate and vanilla in the background. Then you’ll be hit by the sweetness from the malts, only to finish with a mild hop bitterness. But ’s true standout quality is its creamy but dry mouthfeel.
Best for: Skiing and Snowboarding
At first, you’ll notice the hops—piney and grassy notes with some chocolate and vanilla in the background. Then you’ll be hit by the sweetness from the malts, only to finish with a mild hop bitterness. But ’s true standout quality is its creamy but dry mouthfeel.
(21st Amendment Brewery)Coconut Porter
Maui Brewing Co.
Best for: Skiing and Snowboarding
This from Lahaina, a former whaling port on Hawaii’s second-largest island, is a light brew for a porter. It starts semisweet—a hint of caramel and syrup flavor. Soon enough, the dark chocolate and coffee comes through, followed by coconut, almond, and some vanilla. The subtle combination of spices earned Maui Brewing Co. a World Beer Cup award in 2006.
Best for: Skiing and Snowboarding
This gold medal winner from Lahaina, a former whaling port on Hawaii’s second-largest island, is a light brew for a porter. It starts semisweet—a hint of caramel and syrup flavor. Soon enough, the dark chocolate and coffee comes through, followed by coconut, almond, and some vanilla. The subtle combination of spices earned Maui Brewing Co. a World Beer Cup award in 2006.
(Maui Brewing)Moose Drool Brown Ale
Big Sky Brewing Co.
Best for: Skiing and Snowboarding
A staple on mountain-town draft lists throughout the northern Rockies, gives you dark and sweet malts with some nutty flavor and a relatively light body. It’s a beer with just enough hops to keep it from being cloying. It pours into a glass with a very light head. Follow the instructions on the can and “always drink upstream from the herd.”
Best for: Skiing and Snowboarding
A staple on mountain-town draft lists throughout the northern Rockies, gives you dark and sweet malts with some nutty flavor and a relatively light body. It’s a beer with just enough hops to keep it from being cloying. It pours into a glass with a very light head. Follow the instructions on the can and “always drink upstream from the herd.”
(Big Sky Brewing)The Lewbricator Wheat Dopplebock
Kalona Brewing Company
Best for: Skiing and Snowboarding
Here’s a brew that brings some attention to a little town 30 minutes south of Iowa City. It , then the dark, roasted malts just keep coming for a pleasant finish that beckons the next sip. There’s a light spice to go with the rich, mahogany color, crafted by the head brewer and quasi-namesake, Lew Brewer.
Best for: Skiing and Snowboarding
Here’s a brew that brings some attention to a little town 30 minutes south of Iowa City. It , then the dark, roasted malts just keep coming for a pleasant finish that beckons the next sip. There’s a light spice to go with the rich, mahogany color, crafted by the head brewer and quasi-namesake, Lew Brewer.
(Kalona Brewing Company)Zaison Imperial Saison
Brewery Vivant
Best for: Skiing and Snowboarding
Saison-style beers are typically low ABV. But Brewery Vivant ups this to 9%. And yes, it’s strong. Be prepared for sweet, citrusy, and tart notes, with hints of pepper, too.
Best for: Skiing and Snowboarding
Saison-style beers are typically low ABV. But Brewery Vivant ups this to 9%. And yes, it’s strong. Be prepared for sweet, citrusy, and tart notes, with hints of pepper, too.
(Brewery Vivant)öԾ
Crow Peak Brewing Company
Best for: Skiing and Snowboarding
Though certainly not the first to experiment with spruce tips in beer, this South Dakota brewery utilizes the centuries-old anti-scurvy treatment to enact even greater good. is so sprucey, it tastes like you’re drinking it straight out of a Christmas tree. Searching for snow? Bring this beer along for the hunt.
Best for: Skiing and Snowboarding
Though certainly not the first to experiment with spruce tips in beer, this South Dakota brewery utilizes the centuries-old anti-scurvy treatment to enact even greater good. is so sprucey, it tastes like you’re drinking it straight out of a Christmas tree. Searching for snow? Bring this beer along for the hunt.
(Crow Peak Brewing)Capital Trail Pale Ale
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Best for: Mountain Biking
This is an . It’s sweet up front before notes of citrus and pine take over and are in turn overpowered by a bittersweet conclusion. Its flavors can be hard to nail down; it just keeps unfolding into endless woodsy layers. Beer sales support the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation’s efforts to maintain 50-plus miles of running and cycling trails in Virginia’s Old Dominion cities of Richmond and Jamestown.
Best for: Mountain Biking
This is an . It’s sweet up front before notes of citrus and pine take over and are in turn overpowered by a bittersweet conclusion. Its flavors can be hard to nail down; it just keeps unfolding into endless woodsy layers. Beer sales support the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation’s efforts to maintain 50-plus miles of running and cycling trails in Virginia’s Old Dominion cities of Richmond and Jamestown.
(Hardywood Park Craft Brewing)Weekend Warrior Pale Ale
Karbach Brewing Co.
Best for: Mountain Biking
Bikes and beer go together (postride, of course). Lighter may be better after a full day of sun and trail, but will make you think otherwise. It begins with a wave of caramel malts followed by citrus (notes of grapefruit and orange), pine, and herbal hops to finish dry, with a bit of lasting bitterness. This is a drinkable beer that also packs flavor.
Best for: Mountain Biking
Bikes and beer go together (postride, of course). Lighter may be better after a full day of sun and trail, but will make you think otherwise. It begins with a wave of caramel malts followed by citrus (notes of grapefruit and orange), pine, and herbal hops to finish dry, with a bit of lasting bitterness. This is a drinkable beer that also packs flavor.
(Karbach Brewing)Devil's Harvest Extra Pale Ale
Southern Prohibition Brewing
Best for: Mountain Biking
Steady layers of pine and hops make it quite clear you should be drinking outside—whether you’re winding down in an outdoor hot tub or plopped on a deck chair after a long ride. While 5.8% is relatively low-octane, it’s worth making space for this pint-size option on your backpacking trip.
Best for: Mountain Biking
Steady layers of pine and hops make it quite clear you should be drinking outside—whether you’re winding down in an outdoor hot tub or plopped on a deck chair after a long ride. While 5.8% is relatively low-octane, it’s worth making space for this pint-size option on your backpacking trip.
(Southern Prohibition Brewing)Day Break 4-Grain Breakfast Brew
Martin House Brewing Company
Best for: Mountain Biking
“” is a not-so-subtle way for this Texas brewery to say “Hey, this beer tastes like a bowl of cereal, so try drinking it at breakfast.” It’s not the worst idea, considering the barley, wheat, oats, and rye it’s made with, along with a uniquely smooth, milky honey taste. Pick a well-lit, ventilated drinking location for this rather sweet and creamy ale.
Best for: Mountain Biking
“” is a not-so-subtle way for this Texas brewery to say “Hey, this beer tastes like a bowl of cereal, so try drinking it at breakfast.” It’s not the worst idea, considering the barley, wheat, oats, and rye it’s made with, along with a uniquely smooth, milky honey taste. Pick a well-lit, ventilated drinking location for this rather sweet and creamy ale.
(Martin House Brewing)RecreationAle
Terrapin Beer Company
Best for: Mountain Biking
This is exceptionally crisp and refreshing, with plenty of depth and no overbearing flavors. Using five types of hops and three malts, the Georgia brewery imbues the beer with a pine taste and subdued citrus. Ideal for hot months, this light beer has a thin mouthfeel and is exceptionally refreshing.
Best for: Mountain Biking
This is exceptionally crisp and refreshing, with plenty of depth and no overbearing flavors. Using five types of hops and three malts, the Georgia brewery imbues the beer with a pine taste and subdued citrus. Ideal for hot months, this light beer has a thin mouthfeel and is exceptionally refreshing.
(Terrapin Beer Company)Abbey's Single
Destihl Brewery
Best for: Mountain Biking
This is not a traditional beer It’s very zesty up front, then finishes dry and tart with Belgian yeast. Along the way, you’ll encounter notes of cherries, nectarines, peaches, and, yes, even bubblegum. Just don’t expect to taste much malt or hops.
Best for: Mountain Biking
This is not a traditional beer It’s very zesty up front, then finishes dry and tart with Belgian yeast. Along the way, you’ll encounter notes of cherries, nectarines, peaches, and, yes, even bubblegum. Just don’t expect to taste much malt or hops.
(Destihl Brewery)