Lakefront Brewery releases flagship Riverwest Stein in cans

Lakefront Brewery, which is celebrating 30 years in business with new logos for longtime beers, is trying something completely different. The brewery, 1872 N. Commerce St., released its first beer in cans today. 

Flagship brew Riverwest Stein is now available in a 12-pack. 

"We'll see how this goes and how they sell," said Lakefront founder and owner Russ Klisch. Lakefront joined other Wisconsin breweries that have converted to cans for some of their beer, including New Glarus Brewing, which began selling Spotted Cow and Moon Man in cans last year.

Riverwest Stein is canned at Stevens Point Brewery. Klisch said there isn't room at the Lakefront Brewery to add a canning line or bring in a mobile version.

There's long been a discussion about the place for cans in craft breweries, but the argument that beer stays fresher in cans seems to be winning.

"I would say that for the first six months a can could be better than a bottle," Klisch said.

A 12-pack of Riverwest Stein in cans will sell for about $13.99.