Spot the beer

It is not long ago that beer in cans was regarded as substandard to that sold in bottles but that changed with the craft beer revolution when the top new brewers recognised the value of cans and have largely chosen the material over glass ever since.

Cans are increasingly being used to house a range of other products not traditionally held in such vessels. Food manufacturer Pott’s began putting its gravy into cans back in 2019 and the act of using unusual packaging has been deemed ‘chaos packaging’.

Crossing the desk of Beer Insider recently have been a variety of products adopting the chaos approach that sit very well alongside beer. The new lines from the Potts’ brand – that Beer Insider sourced from the local Lidl supermarket – were Indian sauces from a range of three. We tested the Katsu Curry and Tikka Masala.

Complementing the curry sauces were a new launch from husband-and-wife duo Steve and Ruby Sailopal. Curry Smugglers aim to bring a bold new twist to iconic favourites like Bombay Mix and infusing them with the vibrancy of Bollywood and the flavours of a bustling Indian bazaar.

As well as catching the eye the cans are airtight, lightweight, UV-free and 100% recyclable – freshness and sustainability is at their core. They hold the Curry Smugglers range of: Bombay Mix – a fiery mix of crunchy sev (spiced chickpea noodles), fried lentils and peanuts; Chakli – rice flour, black lentils and five aromatic spices fried into traditional coiled crisps; and Pakora – crispy, spiced bites made from split chickpeas and Indian masalas.

The snacks are handmade in Kent in small batches using 100% natural, locally sourced ingredients and are available online as well as Selfridges and in over 60 independent retailers – including delicatessens, bottle shops and taprooms across the UK.

These snacks and the Potts’ sauces paired exceptionally well with the beer we served – in a glass bottle, just to mix things up. The top-notch Big Job from St Austell Brewery.

Glynn Davis, editor, Beer Insider