Canned Craft Beers For Super Bowl Sunday Parties From New Beer Distributors On The Lower East Side In New York City

Before you stock up for The Big Game, consider this: While you've been sipping bottled microbrews, craft beer producers across the country have been rediscovering the virtues of the can.

Oskar Blues (a pioneer with its Dale's Pale Ale), Surly Brewing, 21st Amendment and New York's own Butternuts are just a few of the breweries that have joined the canned-beer revolution. Why? For one, the technology has advanced dramatically; for a long time, small-batch producers couldn't can even if they wanted to. Plus, cans are better than bottles at keeping out light and oxygen, thus preserving the beer's freshness and flavor. Craft brewers also boast that cans are easier to recycle than glass and lighter to ship. You'll like that they chill faster and cost less.

Still skeptical? Head to New Beer Distributors, a LES warehouse that stocks more than a dozen craft bullets (as well as a massive selection of local and hard-to-find bottles, all priced below regular retail), and give these four Super Bowl-worthy cans a try.

Butternuts Snapperhead IPA ($10 per six-pack) Rich and malty with a pleasantly tart (but not bitter) aftertaste.

New England Brewery Elm City Lager ($10 per six-pack) Bright and lemony with a clean finish; it's perfect for cutting the spiciness of hot wings.

Sly Fox Pikeland Pils ($10 per six-pack) Dry and light enough to drink all day, with just the right amount of grassy hops.

Oskar Blues Ten Fidy Imperial Stout ($13 per four-pack) The dessert of beers: thick, chocolaty and smooth.

New Beer Distributors, 167 Chrystie St. (between Rivington and Delancey sts.); 212-473-8754 or new-beer.com