Five on Friday: 5 Favorite Beer Can Labels

Each Friday, we share five things that are getting buzz around the Cooking Light offices—from what we’re reading around the Web, to what’s hot on Instagram, or even our latest favorite ingredient.

If you enjoy an occasional icy brew, you're probably more than familiar with the age old conflict: Does beer taste better from a bottle or a can? Everyone holds their own well-qualified stance, but today, we must set aside any and all differences to pay homage strictly to the humble beer can. That's right, today is apparently Beer Can Appreciation Day--and as obscure of a holiday though it may seem, you best believe I'm not missing an opportunity to celebrate (responsibly). In no particular order, here are my top 5 picks for beer-can-design work worth appreciating as you toss one back.

West Brook Brewing Co.'s White Thai (Mt. Pleasant, SC)westbrookbrewing.comCheery golden color, elegant Southeast-Asian inspired detailing, spotlight on some catlike creature making a silly face... what more could you possibly ask of a beer can (except that it be full and cold)?

Hilliard's Amber Ale (Seattle, WA)hilliardsbeer.comGraceful isn't a term you often hear tossed around in beer-centered conversation, so major kudos to Hilliard's on this one. With a delightfully delicate color palate and sleek chevron pattern embracing the container's lower half, I can't think of a word to better define the can before you.

New England Brewing Co.'s Gandhi-Bot (Woodbridge, CT)newenglandbrewing.comOkay so, this vibrant orange cylindrical beer vessel depicts renowned champion for human rights and nonviolent civil disobedience, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi-- as a robot. Pure genius. Game over.

Midnight Sun Brewing Co.'s Kodiak Brown Ale (Anchorage, AK)midnightsunbrewing.comAn enraged Kodiak brown bear repping an Alaskan brown ale makes for an inspired--not to mention ferocious--exemplification of state pride. Cheers to Alaska's indigenous wildlife and to their exceptionally vivacious beer cans.

Brooklyn Brewery's Brooklyn Lager (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)brooklynbrewery.comThe aesthetic here is simple, but thoughtfully conceived. It's hip, it's cool, it's classic... it's Brooklyn.