When you order a beer, what type of cap does it have? Is it a pry off or twist off cap? Many brewers today use pry off caps because they are associated with quality. Although twist off caps come with their advantages, such as opening without requiring openers, complaints about their poor sealing ability make most brewers avoid them. In this post, we will dig deeper into pry off caps to demonstrate what they are and list the best beer brands that use them.
What is Pry Off Caps?
Bottle caps, also referred to as crown corks, were invented in 1892 by William Painter in Baltimore, Maryland. For beer manufacturers, bottle caps are very important because they helped to prevent oxygen and contaminants from getting through into the drink. After the invention of the bottle cap, more developments resulted in two main types; the pry off caps and twist off caps.
Twist off caps are universal bottle corks in that they can be used on both the threaded and pry off bottles. However, pry off caps cannot be used for twist off applications. Most twist off caps are designed with soft metal that can easily drip the twist off threads of the bottle. However, the light metal has also worked to their disadvantage because they risk letting in air and compromising the quality of beer in the bottle.
Pry off caps, as the name suggests, are type of bottle corks that requires you to pull apart using a lever in order to remove from bottles. Unlike the twist off caps, pry off cap models are made with tough metal that firmly holds onto the bottle so that no oxygen can easily get through the seal. Therefore, brewers are sure their beers will remain fresh and clean until users are ready to drink.
Another thing about the pry off caps is that they feature a liner on the inner part. This lining is made of PVC to ensure that the caps provide a tight seal for keeping the beer inside and the air outside. Some liners are made of polyisobutylene and polybutylene to further improve the sealing ability of the cap. To demonstrate the effectiveness and preference of pry off caps in beer bottles, here is the case of Sierra Nevada.
In 2007, Sierra Nevada made a major announcement – they were shifting from twist off to pry off bottles. The company indicated that following their study on the pry off caps and twist off caps, the former was found to be the better option and they were shifting to it. Although they did not blame the ineffectiveness of twist off caps for their decision, experts indicate that challenges in opening, danger of getting cut by the threads, and air leakage were only some of the reasons why the giant brewery had to shift. Now, Sierra Nevada and most craft breweries use pry off caps, and the closure type is likely to stay that way in the coming years.
How can You Tell if a Beer is Pry Off Cap?
In order for you to understand how to effectively establish if a beer has a pry off cap, will contrast the two categories of bottles. For a beer with a pry off cap, it will feature an even bulbous ring that runs around. Most of the beers also have the information well put on the label. To open a beer with pry off cap, you will require an opener.
If you notice a beer with indentations that spiral horizontally, that is an indication that it is a twist off cap style as opposed to pry off cap type. Make sure to be extra careful when opening twist off caps because they can at times be sharp and cause cuts.
What Beers have Pry Off Caps?
As we have pointed out, beers with pry off caps are associated with quality and a lot of brewers prefer them. So, here is a list of the top 12 beers with pry off caps that you should consider buying:
Dogfish Head
Coming at the top of our list of beers with pry off caps is the Dogfish Head from Dogfish Head Brewery. The Delaware-based company has cut a name for being one of the fastest-growing breweries in the US, and it is easy to see why – the commitment to quality. The Dogfish Head beer rocks hop and malt aroma with a firm dominance of citrus fruit, honey, and roasted coffee.
Even for those who have been taking the Dogfish Head beer for some time, there is a sense of complexity with every new sip as hops come a distant second to the malt. This beer has an ABV of 10% and is a perfect find for people who love beers with high alcohol content.
Stella Artois
Stella Artois is one of the leading classic Belgian lager beers, which is classified as a Euro Pale Lager. However, some still consider it to be a pilsner. It pours just like standard lagers you know and works well with signature Stella Artois chalice. However, a standard beer pint will work just fine. You will find it a great beer to have after a long day’s work or with dinner. If you love pilsners of lagers, there is no doubt you will also enjoy Stella Artois.
Stella Artois beer’s ABV is 5.2%.
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is one of the best pale ales in the US because of its classic style and taste. It rocks a deep amber color and its uniquely full-bodied and complex character makes it an awesome pick for both new and veteran drinkers. You will also love the fragrant bouquet and spicy flavor created by the best Cascade hops. The unique flavor has made Sierra Nevada Pale Ale a great pick for outdoor barbecues and parties. The beer’s ABV is 6.5%.
Boston Lager
Mention Boston Lager and most craft beer lovers will tell you it has an irresistible taste. It was introduced in 1984 and has been one of the best-selling beers in the US for decades. The formula for the Boston Lager was done by Koch and Joseph Owades and it still feels sweeter and fuller compared to other lagers. You will also love its caramel, grassy floral hops, and citrusy metallic bitterness. Its clear dark to golden amber outlook also makes it appealing to both new and veteran beer lovers. Boston Lager’s ABV is 5.0%.
Porch Rocker
When Samuel Adams developed the Porch Rocker, the target was to create a delicious summer drink and the results did not disappoint. The beer pools together a crispy taste with lemons, creating a tart flavor to keep your palate energized. With every sip, you will realize the sweetness contrasts with the mild spicy flavor of the hops, while the hops introduce citrusy notes. The result is a well-balanced beer rocking effervescent sweetness.
To make your drinking moment more magnificent, consider pairing Porch Rocker with pork or seafood entrees. Fruit-based desserts would also pair awesomely with it.
Couch Surfer
Parked with carefully roasted malts and notes of coffee and chocolate, this smooth oatmeal beer is bound to impress your heart. The beer is made by Otter Creek Breweries which brews its beers in small batches to give emphasis to quality. Couch Surfer, like other beers from Otter Creek, is made using natural Vermont water, top-fermenting yeast, and domestic malts and hops.
The beer has a moderate sweetness that slowly fades into an irresistible bitterness. Then, the finish lingers with some acidity from the roasted malt. Overall, it is an easy-to-drink beer with a perfect balance on all accounts. This is why it works well with most occasions, whether for drinking in a bar or outdoors during sports.
The beer’s ABV level is 5.4%.
Boston Ale
Boston Ale is another leading beer option developed by Boston Beer. It is developed with earthy English hops, the sweetness of caramel malts, fermented as ale, and finally aged in cool temperatures.
The beer’s flavor takes an impressive British pale ale character, which has an underlying rich maltness contrasted with prominent bitterness. This flavor makes it a well-balanced and easy-drinking find for beer aficionados.
Finestkind IPA
In 2004, Finestkind IPA emerged as the Best American Beer in the British Beer Festival because of its unique taste and fineness. Since then, Smuttynose Brewing Company, the brewer of Finestkind IPA has improved its formula and you will every sip. Like other beers from this brewery, Finestkind IPA is made without filtering, which yields its characteristic taste.
For a beer lover, Finestkind IPA can be seen as the perfect salute to the hop growers. The beer’s citrusy hop flavor is drawn from Santiams and Simcoe and is excellently balanced with a tinge of bitterness from Amarillo hops. Because it is unfiltered, it has a crispy taste and will be a great pick for hop lovers.
Finestkid IPA beer has an ABV of 6.9%.
Paulaner
This is one of the best-selling beers from Paulaner Brewery, and it is loved because of its unique taste. It is produced using top-fermented yeast that provides it unmistakable taste. For most Paulaner funs, the cloudy orange outlook and fruity aroma make it even more appealing. When you take a sip of this beer for the first time, it gives a blend of wheat and mild citrus with a bitter finish. Interestingly, the mouth feels impressively clean and crisp. It is what beer lovers would rate an A.
Big A IPA
For hop fund who find Finestkind IPA not hoppy enough, Smuttynose Brewing Company has another option, the Big A IPA. The company maintains the same technique of brewing beer by preparing in small batches to maintain its freshness and character. The main difference with other Smuttynose beers is that Big A IPA comes with more malt, more hops, and more flavor. The ABV of Big A IPA is 8.2% ABV.
The aroma of the Big A IPA is slightly sweet malt that balances well with hops. The lovely flavor comes from mango, peaches, and herbal elements, and it is an easy-to-drink beer. Although it is strongly recommended for people who love strong hops in their beers, it also works well for those looking forward to outdoor drinking or pairing with bacon, chicken.
Blizzard of Hops
When the winners of the Great American Beer Festival of 2014 were announced, it was not surprising that Troegs came top. The Pennsylvania-based company was founded in 1996 and puts a lot of focus into improving its beers. The Blizzard of Hops is one of the best beers with pry off caps and people love it because of its aroma.
When poured from a bottle, the Blizzard of Hops has a unique hazy yellow appearance with an attractive lacy head. Then, a citrus hop aroma complete with citrus flavor and slight bitterness makes it a good selection especially for enjoying a nice winter or a chilled cool evening. It also pairs well with an evening barbecue on the beach or backyard.
Magic Hat
The last beer with pry off caps to make our list is this Magic Hat from Magic Hat Brewing Company. The company is a respected Vermont brand that was founded in 1993 by Bob Johnson and Alan Newman. Magic Hat beer, like other beers from Magic Hat, is fermented using Ringwood ale yeast strain that gives it its signature fruity flavor. The beer is slightly hoppy, has a 4.6% ABV, and is best paired with light desserts, cheeses, or salads.
Conclusion
As we have demonstrated in this post, pry off caps design is a more effective method of securing beer in bottles. The caps are made with hard metal and a seal that help to prevent contaminants, especially air from getting into beer. Although some breweries are still using twist off caps, the pry off cap designs are associated with quality. So, if you love quality, and want to enjoy craft beer with pry off caps, the list we have provided above has the best for you.