Ameri-Can Revolution

     I think a man workin' outdoors feels more like a man if he can have a bottle of suds. – Andy Dufresne from the Shawshank Redemenption.
     I was watching one of my favorite movies the other day and I hear the above quote. I have seen this movie a thousand times and never really thought much of it. But it really hit me then, how true it was for him in his circumstance and me in mine. I have no issue being the one who stands over the hot grill on a blistering day if I have a cold beer. Take away that cold beer, and it suddenly feels like work. So, what if we kept the beer and took away the bottle?
     As I am sure you have noticed lately, with the heat of summer has come several new canned beers previously unavailable on our shelves here in Iowa. 12 pks, 6 pks, 4 pks, and yes, even 15 pks of craft beer now set on our shelves side by side their brothers in bottles. While I know I will never convince everyone to give up their precious bottles (nor will I give up bottles entirely), here is why you should consider joining the movement.
          1) Freedom. No, I don’t mean bald eagles, fireworks, and bands. Or do I? After all, while glass is being prohibited more and more at our local and state parks, cans often are not. They don’t break, you won’t cut your feet on them, and they are at lot easier to pack out when you are done. Bottles are great for home usage, but frankly, cans are more likely to let you drink where you want to drink. 
          2) Gun Shows. Or more importantly, not having to have big guns to carry them. Cans weigh significantly less but carry the same amount of liquid. No reason to strain for your liquid refreshment. 
          3) Ice. Cans tend to get cold faster and keep their cold longer than bottles do. 
          4) Shade. Most people know that brown bottles get less light damage than green bottles. Well, cans have no light damage and no oxidization to speak of either. In other words, even with the sun beating down on you, they are more likely to taste fresh. 
     So, after a long day mowing the lawn, weeding the garden, riding the on the bike trails, or playing softball, why not crack open a fresh cold beer right of the can. With Boulevard Wheat, Blue Moon, Leinie’s Summer Shandy, New Belgium Fat Tire, and Founder’s All Day IPA among the many choices, you are sure to find a beer that matches your taste. You might just find you feel more like yourself with that can of beer in your hand, smile on your face, and friends and family near.