Adding a new beer series to the roster, Breckenridge Brewery has introduced some old favorites inside new containers, and these are no ordinary beverage delivery vessels. These are nitro cans — containers that are nitrogen charged, so when the top is popped, nitrogen gas will deliver a smooth and creamy cascading beer into a glass. No glass? The brewery says, “No problem!” The folks at Breck call these beers “a pub experience in a 16 oz. can” and designed to be enjoyed straight from the container.

Two beers are now sold in the nitro cans and will be available year around. The Nitro Vanilla Porter, or NVP, is velvety goodness. Released back in May, this dark brown beer, which was already heady and creamy on its own, is now even more so. Once opened, inhale the scent of roasted nuts and coffee. The taste of the vanilla, which comes from vanilla beans imported from Papua New Guinea and Madagascar, comes through with no bitterness. The NVP is only 5.4% ABV.

Out now is the Nitro Lucky U IPA. One of Breck’s most popular regular beers, beer enthusiasts will definitely notice the difference of putting an IPA on nitro. When opened, there is a rush of malt and caramel scents with a touch of sweet oats. As for the taste, the nitro smooths out the hoppiness, bringing out a nice malt/hop balance. Don’t worry hop heads, because Breck uses four malts and seven hop types in the Lucky U, quaffers will still taste a crisp hop flavor. After pouring watch the head cascade through this amber-colored brew. The beer is 68 IBU and 5.7% ABV.

Printed on the side of the cans are instructions on how to serve the beer for optimal satisfaction:  First, keep chilled at 42 degrees. Then, when ready to consume, open the can and wait five seconds. Finally, pour into a glass and watch the rush of the liquid as it cascades and churns into a frothy head. Did we mention the can makes a cool fizz/pop sound when the top is cracked? It does. Find these cans in four-packs all around town or order by the 5.2g and 15.5g keg. The brewery will be launching new Nitro Seasonals starting in the fall so if you like what nitrogen does to a beer, stay posted. 

Photo via Carrie Dow