Reminds me of my camping days as a Boy Scout. WE use to throw unopened cans of beans in the fire. 5 to ten seconds later anyone stupid enough to stand around or not aware that a can went in. Would be covered in beans. Always was a good laugh.
It is a waste but if you put a can of beer in a fire, it will aslo explode, causing the area around the firepit to be sprayed with super heated liquid and hot embers.