Asahi Beverages has cut the ribbon on a new $60million canning line at Australia’s biggest brewery at Yatala, Queensland to meet the growing demand for cans over stubbies.

Up to 400 million cans of beers will roll off the new line each year, including Great Northern, Victoria Bitter and Carlton Dry.

The line can produce more than two million cans every 24 hours and created more than 200 jobs during its construction, plus an additional 27 new net full-time jobs on site at the brewery.

Asahi noted that beer lovers’ growing preference for cans over bottles also delivers sustainability benefits: less energy is used to produce aluminium cans while their lighter weight means they can be transported more efficiently than glass bottles.

Yatala Brewery Head of Manufacturing Melanie Highett said: “Aussie beer lovers’ increasing thirst for cans over stubbies is creating more great brewery jobs for Queenslanders and some useful sustainability benefits too.

“This new canning line is a major investment in south-east Queensland manufacturing. It’s a big win for beer lovers too because it helps ensure we can meet growing demand for beer cans in Queensland and beyond for many years to come.”

Five years ago, just 46% of the packaged beer Asahi brewed in Australia was sold in cans and the remainder in stubbies. However, cans recently surpassed bottles and now sit at 52%, a number expected to grow significantly in coming years.

“We think the trend is inspired by their versatility, their affordability and their prevalence within craft beer,” Highett said.

“The new line underscores Asahi’s long-term commitment to Australian jobs and manufacturing.”

While the new Asahi canning line significantly boosts Yatala’s can capacity, the brewery will still produce millions of stubbies each year too.