INDIANAPOLIS – In 2009, Sun King Brewery brought Indianapolis local beer for the first time since the Indianapolis Brewing Company closed its doors in 1948. On Saturday, Sept. 28, history will be made again when Sun King hosts the inaugural CANvitational, the Midwest’s first-ever canned craft beer festival.

The Sun King CANvitational will bring more than 30 craft breweries representing 16 states to Georgia Street and Pan Am Plaza from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets, available online at www.canvitational.com, are $50 for general admission and $75 for early entry. Water and sodas are provided for those who purchase the $10 designated driver access. The event is ages 21+ with a valid ID.

Early entry is $75. Early Entry Ticket allows ticket holder entry an hour earlier than General Admission ticket holders. A sampling glass will be provided for each ticket holder. Early Entry ticket holder will have access to sampling from 30+ breweries from around the country and will receive one free event T-shirt. T-shirt must be claimed at Merchandise Booth during the time of the event. T-shirts not claimed will not be available for pickup (or shipment) after the event.

General admission is $50. General Admission Ticket allows ticket holder entry into the event. A sampling glass will be provided for each ticket holder. GA ticket holder will have access to sampling from 30+ breweries from around the country.

“We’re incredibly excited to share the beers from these breweries with attendees, especially considering that most of the breweries’ beers aren’t available in Indiana or in many cases outside of their home markets,” said Sun King owner Clay Robinson. “We’ve assembled an all-star lineup of canning breweries from all over the country and our goal is to showcase the great craft beer that is driving the canned craft beer revolution!”

Each of the breweries was selected because of the quality of beer they are producing and, as the name of the event suggests, the festival will feature breweries that can their beers. For decades, the beer bottle was seen as the premier container; however, thanks to breweries like those participating in the CANvitational, a canning renaissance has put pint cans, tall boys and the 12 oz. standard back on the map in a whole new light.

“Cans are a superior vessel for packaging craft beer because they protect the beer from two of its greatest enemies, light and oxygen,” Robinson said. “Every can has a food-safe liner that keeps the beer from ever coming in contact with metal and the result is beer that tastes fresher and more like the brewer intended. Cans also take less fuel to ship and are less expensive and energy intensive to recycle, making them an incredibly sustainable packaging choice.”

In addition to great, canned craft beer, attendees will have plenty of food options for purchase from food trucks that will line Georgia Street, as well as a tent with options from the Omni on Pan Am Plaza. Music will be provided throughout the event by DJ Helicon and DJ Action Jackson.