A Tale of Two Cities: Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, and Canned German Imports

Are German imports better than American takes on German beer? It all depends on your point of view and I’ve heard it argued both ways. Overall, cans may be better than bottles, and of course there are more American beers in cans than German imports. An improved cold chain certainly helps German beers. I’ve argued it both ways myself and it breaks my heart to say this but the Spaten Lager I had at the Red Porch at Nationals Park was by far the cleanest and most satisfying lager I had at the ballpark last year (despite best efforts to enjoy all of the craft lagers while cheering on the home team).

“The can has revitalized the franchise,” said Steve Hauser, CEO of Paulaner USA, in regards to introducing new drinkers to older brands. The Paulaner Brewery is one of Munich’s largest breweries and Paulaner USA imports Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, and other brands like Fuller’s, Früli, and Fürstenberg.

In January Hacker-Pschorr put their Weissbier into cans for the first time, 600 years in the ma

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