Metalman acquires micro-canning plant

Waterford’s Metalman Brewing Company has just installed an automated canning machine in its microbrewery there.

The brewery will soon launch a series of canned beers to become the first Irish microbrewer to can its own beer.

“We researched both bottles and cans thoroughly,” says Brewer and Co-Founder Grainne Walsh, “We felt that cans were a better choice in terms of the quality of the finished product, the lower cost of shipping and easier handling at the brewery versus glass.”

Metalman began brewing in 2012 and has completed two expansion projects since then. Employing six people it produces about 15 different seasonal and one-off beers on its 6.5 hectolitre system.

The first canned offering witll be Metalman Pale Ale and the beer will reach retailers by next February.

“Canned craft beer is the hottest craft beer package in North America,” says Peter Love, Founder of Cask Brewing Systems, makers of small-scale canning machinery.

This year, US sales of six-pack and 12-pack canned craft beers are up 89% and 79% respectively compared to 16% growth for bottled six-packs and 12-packs. Today over 10% of America’s nearly 3,000 small and independent craft brewers are canning all or some of their beers.

“It’s now taking off in the UK” he adds.

Can-can line (from left): Dave Fitzgerald, Grainne Walsh, Wayne Jacques, Tim Barber, Adam Doyle and Jacqui Kelleher – the Metalman brewery team alongside their new cask canning line.