What Do the Colored Dots on Cans Mean

November 23, 2021

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Hendry Champion (846) Mar 8, 2013 Vermont

Anybody know anything about this? My 4 pack had 2 black dots and 2 blue dots on the bottom of the cans, and there were other 4 packs with 3 different colors, some cans with no mark.
PuckIt Initiate (0) Feb 6, 2014 Pennsylvania

"hey, lets put a couple weird dots on the bottoms of the cans, i bet someone will make a thread on beer advocate about it and provide us some additional free advertising…"
…but in all seriousness, I haven't the slightest idea. I like a good mystery, though...

krmkrm and Hendry like this.
Hendry Champion (846) Mar 8, 2013 Vermont

Some have claimed different flavor profiles in recent FB posts, but I suspect it is for identifying which batch it came from.
Does this warrant the "hey, send me some and i'll check them out myself" comment? Seriously though, send me some.
PuckIt Initiate (0) Feb 6, 2014 Pennsylvania

"flavor profiles" just doesn't make sense to me…batch sounds better
64vdub Aspirant (270) Feb 20, 2014 California
Trader

My last 4pk had 4 different colors.
owend Initiate (0) Aug 31, 2009 New Hampshire

The dots are a QC step by Ball, the manufacturer of the can itself:
"The Nordson Ink-Dot I.D. system identifies which spray machine coats each can on the line. The system applies a small dot of ink on the bottom of each can as it enters the spray machine. A different ink color is used for each machine on the coating line, so the source of unacceptable coatings can be immediately identified. There is no need to shut down all machines on the line to determine which machine is producing the defect."
Love the conspiracy theory regarding free advertising, but sadly, no- the dots mean nothing. That is how they ship to us from the Ball Corp.
To owners and brewers like Jen and John we must look crazy.
stearns16 Initiate (0) Jan 11, 2010 Connecticut

If you find a gold dot, you get invited to tour the brewery and a lifetime supply of Heady Topper!
Macsimus Initiate (175) Feb 19, 2014 North Carolina
Trader

Well played and I was thinking the same thing - "Daddy I want the Golden Goose...." LOL
Hendry Champion (846) Mar 8, 2013 Vermont

Nothing like the real answer straight from the source! Thanks Jen!!
seriously how do you guys plan on getting rid of all that beer without some free advertising? ; )
Sesmu Aspirant (202) Feb 28, 2007 Massachusetts

Nah, the "different flavor profiles" theory sounds much better ) And I'm pretty sure somebody "felt" the difference.
The next big ISO:
All of the variations in the colored dots on the Heady Topper can. Seriously, mark this date on your calendars, I said it first, true fact.

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Jbrews Disciple (320) Aug 6, 2013 New Hampshire

The dots are for how many pounds of hops were murdered to make that can of beer. Kind of like Aaron Hernandez's tattoo's.
stearns16 Initiate (0) Jan 11, 2010 Connecticut

Wish you could have fueled my Willie Wonka theory