Stupidest question I ever asked: Anybody know where I can get empty beer cans?

[Old Greenhorn]

Yeah no, really. I am looking for empty intact beer cans, that is ones that have not been opened, such as for a display or store demo? 12 oz. cans.
 I make some 6 pack beer caddys I sell and would like to have some cans in them, but really don't want the weight or the issue of having beer in them. I asked at the beer store and they looked at me like I had 3 heads. :D I searched on the web and found nothing, too much other trash showing up.
 Any leads on this really really stupid request, would be appreciated. 
 I thought about drilling small holes in the bottoms of some cans to empty them, but I figured that would make quite the mess all over me when the pressure lets off. If I get no leads here I may just try it, but I don't plan on any pictures or video. I want no evidence of how it goes. :D ;D

[Dan_Shade]

Use a nail to poke two holes in the bottom of the can.  One for liquid, and a breather hole. 

[Old Greenhorn]

How would I rinse it out?

[SawyerTed]

For display, who cares that the tops are open?  

Go ahead and drink them!  

[Old Greenhorn]

Even if I put nail holes in, I will drink them. I can't waste beer, that would be alcohol abuse. :D

[Dan_Shade]

You could submerse them in water and drain a few times to rinse them out. 

[Old Greenhorn]

Well I've done dumber things than punching holes in the bottoms of beer cans, but you can bet your stars that I will be looking over my shoulder to make sure nobody is watching when I try it. :D ;D

[Old Greenhorn]

Come to think of it I did poke a hole in the bottom of a "dead" aerosol paint can once to get the paint out of it. Turned out it wasn't as dead as I thought. No pictures, so it didn't happen.
 But that does remind that I need to repaint that floor someday. ;D

[nativewolf]

I am going to ask the obvious:  why don't you use light beer?

[Old Greenhorn]

SEE?! Now that right there is the beauty of this forum, right there. I had never thought of that! :D :D :D ;D

[btulloh]

Soda cans. Beer drinkers will still understand just fine even if it's not beer cans in the carrier. 

I got a pm from an anonymous member of the design committee that said the carriers should be painted with the distinctive purple paint you use on mushroom equipment. Just passing that along . . . 

[Old Greenhorn]

They weigh about the same either way. I don't drink nor buy soda and most folks don't bring soda when they got to a campfire or barbeque.
 I think punching a hole in a soda can would be a lot more 'energetic' than a beer can, and no, I am not going to prove it. :D

[red]

Beer can lid cover 

[Old Greenhorn]

They make those? Never seen one. Must be big with the yuppie crowd or pinky pointers. I'll have to look around.

[Resonator]

I like the nail hole in the bottom idea. That or switch to bottles. ;D

[Hilltop366]

A small craft brewery that cans their own beer....... they might give you some for the free advertising.

[Old Greenhorn]

Now that's the first suggestion that gets me toward my goal Hilltop. Problem is, just about every local craft brewer uses bottles. But I'll start looking into it as I get around.

 Resonator, I don't even know if these things will hold bottles. I might have to take out a loan and buy a 6 pack of bottles and see if they fit. I don't really want to change the design, but maybe a second configuration. It would use more stock and I have to figure in milling costs, additional labor, more wear on the saw, increased solar usage, CAD costs, another set of blue prints and part numbers, retraining the work force, more assembly jigs, additional finishing work, fuel inflation costs, I would have to amortize the cost of that 6 pack of bottles, and solar tax, and I might have to add 2 or 3 bucks to the cost. Not sure if the market would bear that. But I will indeed think on it and do some preliminary research. That kind of design change requires research and careful consideration of the market. :D :D ;D

[beenthere]

Back in the day before pull tabs, beer cans were opened with a church key. Don't recall any dousing with beer  8)

Quick Tip: Opening Churchkey - YouTube

[rusticretreater]

Here ya go, but expensive.

http://www.homebrewing.com/equipment/12-oz-aluminum-beer-can-blanks/

https://www.morebeer.com/category/seamers-cans.html

[Ljohnsaw]

If you want to put bottles in them, I wouldn't change the size at all. I'd add some slip together wood dividers. Real simple and would make up the difference in the skinner bottles and keep them from clanking.

[doc henderson]

I "can" check with our local micro-craft-brew-pub!

[SawyerTed]

Check your favorite online shopping mega store for beer can stash.  They aren't cheap at $9 plus each.  

Poking holes and laundry detergent is cheaper by the six pack. 

[Old Greenhorn]

Well thanks guys for all the ideas. I did find those cans on a not to be named internet web sales outfit for 6-9 bucks a piece but that's a bit much. Ana I sure don't want to invest in canning equipment. :D
For now I will probably go with the pinhole idea (let ya know how THAT works out) because I am cheap and these things sell for a cheap price.
I will keep my eyes open for a micro brewer that does cans and see if I can make a deal. I would be willing to pay the same price as they charge for a full 6 pack (that seems stupid but...)
Maybe you guys CAN help me look around? ;D

[lxskllr]

I don't see why they have to be rinsed. I collected beercans as a kid, and my father helped with some of them. We'd punch holes in the bottom to preserve the top. They dry out eventually, and the process could be sped up in a low temp oven.

[petefrom bearswamp]

Im thinking that you an just crack a fraction with the tab and empty into a suitable container for consuming.