Belgian Ale - The Beer Thrillers

Why 19.2-Ounce Cans Are Becoming the New Craft Beer Staple

B. Kline — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 13:15:07 +0000

Why 19.2-Ounce Cans Are Becoming the New Craft Beer Staple

Craft beer cans are growing up—literally! Next time you swing by your local convenience store, you might notice an impressive lineup of tall cans, typically packed with hoppy IPAs and clocking in at 19.2 ounces. But what’s behind this size choice, and why are more breweries turning to it? Let’s dig into the trend, what it means for craft beer lovers, and why it’s popping up everywhere.

New Trail Broken Heels and Double Broken Heels 19.2 oz Cans

The Magic of Convenience

One word explains the rise of the 19.2-ounce can: convenience. Firestone Walker Brewing, for instance, rolled out its Double Hopnosis IPA in this size to deliver, as they put it, “ultimate convenience.” It’s the go-to format in convenience stores, offering a simple grab-and-go option for people who want something substantial in a single serve.

As traditional beer venues face stiffer competition, gas stations and convenience stores are one bright spot. In fact, National Retail Solutions data reveals that beer sales in these stores rose 5.3% from January to March 2023, while overall beer sales in other retail outlets barely saw a 1.4% increase. Craft beer in particular jumped nearly 9% year-over-year, proving that convenience stores are a rising platform for craft brewers.

(See our other article here: Unlocking Flavor and Branding: The Rise of 19.2-Ounce Craft Beer Cans)

Who’s Buying the Tall Boys?

The 19.2-ounce “stovepipe” can appeals to a unique consumer—the on-the-go buyer who wants quality in a larger single serve, not a whole six-pack. Scott Powell, Marketing Director at Bell’s Brewery, which packages popular brews like Two Hearted Ale and Oberon in 19.2-ounce cans, points out that convenience store shoppers are often looking for a quick, satisfying grab to enjoy right away. And for many, that extra bit of beer makes all the difference when they’re in a rush.

With the tall cans driving dollar growth in craft beer sales, breweries are racing to join the trend. Joe Sepka from the consulting firm 3 Tier Beverages notes that 19.2-ounce cans are now the top driver of growth in craft beer, even outpacing 12-packs. NielsenIQ data confirms that sales of these cans surged 57% over the past year, a rise due partly to higher prices but mostly due to increased demand and wider availability.

Leading the Pack: The Skeleton in the Can

If you’re wondering what kicked off the trend, look no further than Voodoo Ranger. New Belgium’s Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA saw a stunning 20.9% sales increase from August 2021 to August 2022, with its eye-catching skeleton can dominating convenience store shelves. Voodoo Ranger has become synonymous with tall cans and has set the tone for other breweries wanting to capture a similar market.

But it wasn’t New Belgium that first took a chance on this size. Oskar Blues pioneered the 19.2-ounce format in 2012 with its beloved Dale’s Pale Ale, and other craft breweries soon followed suit. When Anchor Brewing decided to can its iconic Steam Beer, it also opted for the 19.2-ounce size, a move that matched shifting consumer habits as 22-ounce glass bombers lost popularity.

The 19.2 Ounce Story: Imperial Pints and ABVs

So why 19.2 ounces? This size, close to an imperial pint (20 British ounces), works well for craft brewers because it uses the same canning lines as a standard 16-ounce can. For many breweries, like Anchor, the switch was cost-effective and efficient, allowing them to deliver a larger serving without major equipment adjustments.

High ABV beers also dominate the 19.2-ounce format. A single tall can offers a satisfying drink with a stronger kick—perfect for park visits, BBQs, and other outings where lugging around a six-pack isn’t practical. As beverage journalist Kate Bernot points out, convenience store shoppers are often looking for a higher-ABV option that’s compact yet delivers the goods. In short, that 8% or 9% beer in one big can is ideal for these settings.

The Pros and Cons of Going Big

While this trend is booming, not every brewery can jump on board. Producing 19.2-ounce cans requires an investment in equipment and logistics. Only breweries with the resources to expand into convenience stores or gas stations—and the budgets to price competitively—are likely to take the plunge. Smaller craft brewers often face challenges keeping prices in the $3 to $4 range for single cans, a price point dominated by large-scale brewers with better cost efficiencies.

Despite the hurdles, breweries with larger distribution networks are finding ways to make this format pay off. As Great Lakes Brewing’s CEO Mark King notes, “While there is a slight hit on margins with the extra 3.2 ounces, the volume more than makes up for it.”

Terrapin 19.2 oz Cans

Tall Cans Are Here to Stay

With the growing popularity of stovepipe cans in convenience stores, music festivals, and sports venues, the 19.2-ounce can is here to stay. Its convenient size, appealing ABV options, and easy-to-carry nature make it perfect for consumers on the move. Whether more local breweries will join the trend remains to be seen, but as craft beer’s top growth driver, this extra-tall can has set a new standard in craft beer packaging.

On-the-Go Craft Beer: Pennsylvania’s Move to 19.2-Ounce Cans

Perpetual IPA by Troegs Independent Brewing is a popular 19.2 oz can choice

Pennsylvania breweries have increasingly embraced the 19.2-ounce can, adding a convenient single-serve option for fans of craft beer across the state. Notable breweries like Troegs Independent Brewing in Hershey have begun offering some of their popular IPAs in this larger format, making it easier for fans to grab a single can on the way to events or gatherings. Troegs’ Double Graffiti Highway, a high-ABV double IPA, is a great example, designed to pack a bold flavor punch that suits the stovepipe can format perfectly. They also have their flagship beer – Perpetual IPA as well as Sunshine Pilsner and the Troegenator Double Bock in 19.2 oz cans.

Another PA standout, Victory Brewing Company, has also adopted the 19.2-ounce can to make some of their flagship beers more accessible. Their Golden Monkey Belgian-Style Tripel, known for its robust 9.5% ABV and fruity, spicy notes, is available in this larger format, ideal for convenience store shoppers looking for something a bit more substantial. With these tall cans, Victory has tapped into a growing trend of higher-ABV brews that cater to the on-the-go drinker.

Yuengling, America’s oldest brewery based in Pottsville, has also tested the waters with 19.2-ounce cans. Their Traditional Lager, a Pennsylvania staple, is now available in this format at select locations, offering fans a familiar choice that’s ideal for a quick drink at outdoor events, concerts, and sporting venues. With the flexibility of the 19.2-ounce can, Pennsylvania breweries are giving craft beer enthusiasts the perfect mix of quality, convenience, and value. (You can even find the Yuengling Lager in 24 oz cans at select venues like Citizens Bank and other baseball stadiums.)

New Trail Brewing is also a popular local Pennsylvania choice with their Broken Heels series of 19.2 oz cans. This includes Broken Heels (IPA), Double Broken Heels (Double IPA), and different flavored variants of Broken Heels like Tropical Broken Heels.

The Ever Evolving Craft Beer Landscape

As the craft beer landscape evolves, the rise of 19.2-ounce cans shows how breweries are listening to consumer demand for convenience and variety. This taller can size has become an ideal format for Pennsylvania breweries aiming to serve on-the-go craft beer fans, with options suited for quick trips to the park, a backyard BBQ, or catching a concert. These stovepipe cans deliver just the right amount of high-quality craft beer in a size that’s easy to carry and perfect for single-serve enjoyment.

With breweries like Troegs, Victory, and even Yuengling leading the way in Pennsylvania, the 19.2-ounce trend is reshaping how and where craft beer lovers can enjoy their favorite brews. For fans, it’s all about getting a great beer in a larger single-serve format that fits their active, mobile lifestyles. And for the breweries, it’s an opportunity to broaden their reach and meet customers where they already shop—at convenience stores, gas stations, and event venues.

Whether it’s an IPA, a Belgian-style ale, or a classic lager, these big cans are here to stay. As more Pennsylvania breweries explore this trend, craft beer fans can expect to see more of their favorite brews available in 19.2-ounce sizes, making it easier than ever to enjoy quality beer anywhere, anytime.

A Series of Craft Beer Articles

This is just one of several in a series of over arching ‘craft beer’ related articles. Several alone in a ‘flagship’ series. In the next few weeks there will be some more that come out as well. I would like to have this general level of different ‘craft beer articles’ that everyone can kind of jump to and read and use for informative purposes, and give a better understanding for the other articles on the site.

Some of these articles are about definitions (like “What is Craft Beer?“) and others are about Craft Breweries in general like the Top 50 Producing Craft Breweries, etc.

Articles on the History of Beer

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MAPS OF BREWERIES

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Tröegs Brewing Releasing the Most Wonderful Beer of the Year Sampler on Monday

B. Kline — Sat, 04 Nov 2023 19:55:33 +0000

The Most Wonderful Beer of the Year Sampler Pack (photo courtesy of Troegs Brewing)

Its The Most Wonderful Beer of the Year

Its that wondrous time again! Its the Most Wonderful Beer of the Year time! This Monday – November 6th, 2023 – Troegs Brewing releases their Most Wonderful Beer of the Year sampler pack.

This twelve pack is brimming with Holiday Joy – packed with three 12 oz Mad Elf cans, three 12 oz Naked Elf cans, three 12 oz Gingerbread Cookie Stout cans, and three 12 oz Perpetual IPA cans.

Currently this will be the only way to get Naked Elf and the Gingerbread Cookie Stout – until November 16th when they will be released in cans and draft at the brewery.

What’s In the Box

The Most Wonderful Beer of the Year

Getting nicknamed the “blackout box” by co – workers at Troegs Brewery due to the ABV of all of the beers inside it; this is certainly a wintry beer box. The lowest ABV beer is Perpetual IPA with 7.5% ABV.

The box is made up of twelve 12 oz cans. Its one half of a case and sells for 22.99$ at the Troegs Brewery’s General Store. This lets it fit simply in your car, as well as easy to buy. Currently there are two exclusives included in the box – The Naked Elf (a Belgian Strong Ale, a cousin of the Mad Elf), and the Gingerbread Cookie Stout (a pastry stout). Both of these will be available individually later on – but are currently only available in this box sampler.

The breakdown of the box:

3 Perpetual IPA (IPA)
3 Mad Elf (Belgian Strong Ale)
3 Naked Elf (Belgian Strong Ale)
3 Gingerbread Cookie Stout (Pastry Stout)

Mad Elf Ale

It’s time! The Mad Elf is here with its nuanced blend of sweet and tart cherries, Pennsylvania honey, chocolate malt and a hint of mischief. The essence of this legendary holiday ale, along with its ruby red glow, is born from five varieties of tree-ripened cherries. Local wildflower honey sweetens the celebration, and a spicy Belgian yeast adds subtle notes of cinnamon, clove and allspice. It’s not the holidays until you’ve had your first Mad Elf. We taste: cherries, local honey, chocolate malt, subtle spices.

Naked Elf Ale

Gone are the cherries, honey and chocolate malt that dress up our holiday favorite Mad Elf, leaving “him” stark-raving nude. It’s all about the bare necessities – malt and yeast – to lend notes of cinnamon, allspice, clove and tangy fruity esters to this classic Belgian-style ale. We taste: cinnamon, allspice, clove, tangy fruity esters.

Gingerbread Cookie Stout

Gingerbread is a holiday tradition that begs for a robust dark beer. Loaded with oats, roasted barley and chocolate malts, we’ve elevated this pastry stout to suit your baking rituals. Additions of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla and clove help hone in on grandma’s time-honored recipe. While others may crumble, Gingerbread Cookie Stout is more than icing on the cake! We taste: ginger, caramelized sugar, dark chocolate.

Perpetual IPA

At Tröegs, artisanal meets mechanical in a state of IPA we call Perpetual. Cycling through our HopBack vessel and dry-hopping method, this bold Imperial Pale Ale emerges rife with sticky citrus rind, pine balm and tropical fruit. We taste: citrus, notes of pine, subtle grain.

The Most Wonderful Weekend

Upcoming, Troegs Brewery will be hosting their Most Wonderful Weekend event. This will be running from Thursday – November 16th, 2023 til November 19th, 2023.

It will feature the release of Naked Elf and the Gingerbread Cookie Stout (in both cans as well as on draft). The general store will also be selling a limited run of Mad Elf cans with original label art as well as art of the various ‘Mad Elves’ over the years. These will be 16 oz pounder cans.

The tasting room will have several specialty dishes just for the weekend, and at the bar they will have a firkin of Blizzard of Hops, as well as different give aways (including Santa Hats, glassware, etc.). The event will last the weekend long.

Tröegs will also be accepting new, unwrapped toys as part of its Perpetual Giving campaign to benefit Hershey Cocoa Packs

The Most Wonderful Beer of the Year

For More Information on Troegs Independent Craft Brewing

According to Untappd, Troegs Independent Craft Brewing is a regional brewery with 148 unique beers listed (despite this release putting them over scratch batch number 500). They have 2.3 Million ratings and as of 11.4.23 have a global average rating of 3.79. Their Untappd bio reads:

“Founded in Pennsylvania in 1997 by brothers John and Chris Trogner, Tröegs Independent Brewing is driven by a sense of adventure and curiosity. Our brewery has been built by family, friends and kindred spirits who share a love of great beer. Together, we all make Tröegs. You might know our Perpetual IPA, the best-selling IPA in Pennsylvania. Or the dark, malty and crisp Troegenator. You may have come across such iconic beers as Nugget Nectar or Mad Elf in your beer travels. Perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to try one or two of the hundreds of experimental Scratch Series beers we’ve brewed over the years. Whether you’re already a member of our extended family or you’re just getting to know our brewery, there’s always something new to discover with Tröegs.“

You can find them at the following social media pages:

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Tröegs Independent Brewing Mad Elf Grand Cru Returns In Limited Cork and Cage Bottles

B. Kline — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Tröegs Mad Elf Grand Cru Returns In Limited Cork & Cage Bottles
(photo courtesy of Troegs Independent Brewing)

Mad Elf Grand Cru

Tröegs Independent Brewing announces the release of Mad Elf Grand Cru, a limited “director’s cut” of its iconic holiday ale, Mad Elf.

Do you like Mad Elf? Do you like it for the cherries, the honey, the sweetness? Maybe wish it was a bit tarter? To give you a little bit of a pucker? Then if so – you’ll love Mad Elf Grand Cru. The easiest way to discern the difference between the two is Mad Elf is sweeter and Mad Elf Grand Cru is tarter.

Mad Elf Grand Cru has Munich, chocolate, and pilsner malts and features a large addition of local Pennsylvania wildflower honey. It’s also fermented with the same in house Belgian yeast strain as Mad Elf, which gives it flavors of cinnamon, clove, and allspice.

Tarter

To get that tarter flavor for Mad Elf Grand Cru – instead of using the five cherries they do in Mad Elf, they restrictively only use Balaton cherries to impart notes of tart pie filling. They also leave the skins of the cherries on which adds to the tartness, whereas with Mad Elf they remove the skins of the cherries before brewing.

Relying on this sole cherry with the skin on also imparts a more maroon, burgundy, rich coloring than the redder hue that Mad Elf has.

Both the Mad Elf Grand Cru and the Mad Elf itself come in at 11% ABV. Similar IBU’s as well.

Cork and Caged

Unlike the regular Mad Elf – the Grand Cru (2023 vintage) only comes in the cork and caged four packs (or single bottles). The cork and caged bottles are 375 ml bottles (in past years, namely 2020 and 2018, Mad Elf Grand Cru also came in the 750 ml bottles).

In the general store at Troegs Brewery a four pack of Mad Elf Grand Cru costs 19.99$.

Putting this beer in cork and cage bottles helps give it that extra special touch. The corks are great at keeping pressure in and oxygen out. Since Grand Cru is a beer many people like to age, that’s a big plus.
Chris Trogner – Tröegs co-founding brother

The Mad Elf Grand Cru by Troegs Independent Brewing (photo courtesy of Troegs Independent Brewing)

For More Information on Troegs Independent Craft Brewing

According to Untappd, Troegs Independent Craft Brewing is a regional brewery with 148 unique beers listed (despite this release putting them over scratch batch number 500). They have 2.3 Million ratings and as of 11.1.23 have a global average rating of 3.79. Their Untappd bio reads:

You can find them at the following social media pages:

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Belgian Ale - The Beer Thrillers

Why 19.2-Ounce Cans Are Becoming the New Craft Beer Staple

Why 19.2-Ounce Cans Are Becoming the New Craft Beer Staple

The Magic of Convenience

Who’s Buying the Tall Boys?

Leading the Pack: The Skeleton in the Can

The 19.2 Ounce Story: Imperial Pints and ABVs

The Pros and Cons of Going Big

Tall Cans Are Here to Stay

On-the-Go Craft Beer: Pennsylvania’s Move to 19.2-Ounce Cans

The Ever Evolving Craft Beer Landscape

A Series of Craft Beer Articles

Articles on the History of Beer

Thank You For Reading

Tröegs Brewing Releasing the Most Wonderful Beer of the Year Sampler on Monday

Its The Most Wonderful Beer of the Year

What’s In the Box

Mad Elf Ale

Naked Elf Ale

Gingerbread Cookie Stout

Perpetual IPA

The Most Wonderful Weekend

More Troegs Independent Craft Brewing Related Articles

For More Information on Troegs Independent Craft Brewing

Thank You For Reading

Tröegs Independent Brewing Mad Elf Grand Cru Returns In Limited Cork and Cage Bottles

Mad Elf Grand Cru

Tarter

Cork and Caged

More Troegs Independent Craft Brewing Related Articles

For More Information on Troegs Independent Craft Brewing

Thank You For Reading