Most aluminum comes from Canada where they have cheap hydropower to make it. (Unless deal is reached with Canada) tariffs are expected to increase the price of aluminum beer cans.
Glass on the other hand is all domestic: Sand, natural gas, and soda ash. Price not affected by tariffs.
If you have been buying aluminum cans, maybe its time to switch to glass. Some say flavor is better in glass anyway.
In my area I notice a six-pack of glass bottles goes for abt $9. But $12 will get you a 12-pack. Its almost like they charge you an extra three bucks to pick up a six-pack on the way to a party.
And then we have those aluminum bottles. Price likely to rise. But at least they don’t break when dropped on the pool deck or on the beach.
One thing to consider is Al in the beverage (possible like to ALZ), and microplastics in the beverage. The latter is relatively new, and studies are still coming out. The latest one I saw was counter-intuitive in the more microplastics were found in glass bottles. They suspect the issue is the cap, and the generally forceful way it is removed.
Ignoring that, Al is lighter and won’t break if you drop it. And it can be endlessly recycled.
Around here they recycle aluminum but not glass bottles. They used to if you separate them by color but they don’t anymore, so you just have to throw them away. Seems wasteful, and we trying not to buy anything that comes packaged in glass.
Here, in CA, everything but plastic bags gets recycled, Yard waste, food waste goes in the Green bin, paper, plastic, glass, even milk cartons, any metals go to the recycle, Blue bin, foam, other food containers got to the trash Gray, bit so we’ve a smaller trash bin… Yard guys were here today, so they filled the big green bin, plus another rubbermaid can I’ll drop in next round… Leves, reimmings, weeds, plus all my shredded output hits that green bin… Mostly aluminum are beer cans, IPA’s, Bud Light.. Not so much any more… No soda anymore, either… Sparkly water is in plastic… recycled…
Wondering why foil wrappers, like KitKat bars and coffee bean bags, and such can’t be compressed, recycled, too.. Maybe they can’t separate the plastic from the aluminum…
People may not realize glass bottles are coated at least on the outside to keep them from scratching and keep them running smoothly through filling lines. But if you have seen how glass bottles are made microplastics in them is very unlikely. Bottles are blown into molds at orange temps–abt 1000 C. Plastics are not likely to survive. Of course the caps or lids have coatings and seals. They can be metal or plastic.
Beer cans are coated on the inside to protect the flavor of the beer. They are also coated on the outside as part of the labeling. Modern cans are DI (drawn and ironed). The pressed into a cup like shape that looks much like a cupcake liner. That is pressed through iron rings stretching the sides. Top gets trimmed and shaped to accept lid. Now days they can also be DI steel rather than aluminum.
The old cans were rolled from sheet metal and had side seams as well as bottom with seal. And were opened with a church key.
Yes, bottles are essentially melted sand. Not worth much. And you have to sort them by color to recycle them. Of course if you put a deposit on them, things might change. But people keep saying requires too much labor.
Your arithmetic is impeccable. However do not wager you lunch money on the idea prices will not change. Public awareness of tarriffs is about equal to the letter set “epstein”. Beer companies know that and will most certainly raise prices because the public will grumble and accept as opposed to seeing the increase for what it is – corporate greed.
I prefer cans for two reasons… the first is the light blocking mentioned above. Aluminum cans are better for storage if you don’t drink all of your beer immediately. Given the choice, I’ll always grab the cans over bottles.
The second reason - pool in the back yard. You don’t want glass on the pool deck.
Tariff impacts on beer cans aren’t going to change the date I retire.
Obviously haven’t been to a sporting even lately. Beer is either sold in an open plastic cup or a plastic beer bottle. That way, angry fans have less dangerous objects to throw on the field/court when displeased.
They tell us the tin plated steel used for food cans is mostly imported. Already prices are rising sharply. A lot more than 0.01. At Aldi a typical canned vegetable moved from $0.64 to 0.78. 22% increase.