Short’s Brewing Co. installs Wild Goose Canning line

In 2016, Short’s Brewing Co. has been fast to conquer some firsts. Earlier this year, the Elk Rapids, Mich., craft brewer started distributing its beer outside of its home state for the first time. Now, it’s just announced plans to package its beers and Starcut Ciders in cans for the first time. What’s next? Sending these canned craft brands to CBB’s homeland of Ohio? Yep (check out this story).

As far as cans, the initial roll out will include Huma Lupa Licious (India Pale Ale), Soft Parade (Fruit Rye Ale), Local’s Light (American Lager), and Space Rock (American Pale Ale). Octorock, a semi-sweet hard cider will complete the lineup. Manufactured by Wild Goose Canning of Boulder, Colo., the WGC-250 canning line with semi-automatic depalletizer and twist rinser will be able to fill 42 cans per minute at top speed. The canning machine will be installed this month with cans available in April.

“Cans are an excellent opportunity to get our beer into new places that glass cannot go,” said Tyler Glaze, Short’s quality manager. “Glass bottles are great, but if you have ever been at the beach and drank out of glass, you’ve gotten a lot of dirty looks — trust me. With our canned product, you can now drink at the beach with your mind at-ease and take comfort in the fact that those dirty looks are a direct response to your hot bod making people jelly.”