Beverage Industry logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Beverage Industry logo
  • NEWS
    • R&D News
    • Supplier News
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Reader's Choice Poll
  • CATEGORIES
    • Alternative Drinks
    • Beer
    • Bottled Water
    • Cannabis Beverages
    • Carbonated Soft Drinks
    • Energy Drinks & Shots
    • Juice & Juice Drinks
    • Plant-Based Beverages
    • Sports Drinks
    • Tea and Coffee
    • Wine & Spirits
  • R&D
    • Beverage R&D Features
    • Ingredient Spotlight
  • PACKAGING
    • New Packages
    • Packaging Equipment
    • Packaging Material
  • OPERATIONS
    • Distribution
    • Plant Focus
  • TOP LISTS
    • Beer Market Report
    • Executive of the Year
    • State of the Beverage Industry
    • Top 100 Beverage Companies
    • Truck Report
    • Wholesaler of the Year
  • MEDIA
    • eBook
    • Podcast
    • Polls
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Annual Manual
    • Contract Packaging Guide
    • Take a Tour
  • MORE
    • Classifieds
    • Channel Strategies
    • eNewsletters
    • Events
      • Membrane Technology Forum
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Market Insights
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archived Issues
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!

Iron-Clad Innovation

January 1, 2005

Iron-Clad Innovation
In August, Pittsburgh Brewing Co. embarked on a historical mission to introduce Iron City beer in aluminum packaging. Working with Alcoa, provider of the aluminum, and CCL Container, Hermitage, Pa., producer of the bottles, Pittsburgh Brewing launched 12-ounce aluminum bottles in its 28-state distribution network.
The relationship between the brewer and CCL Container began with sample testing for stability and line durability, according to Ed Martin, vice president of sales and marketing at CCL Container, Norwalk, Conn.
“Pittsburgh Brewing decided from Day One they were going to use this unique package to create value, and that they were going to charge a slight premium for the product. As a regional brewer it helped them go into other areas of the country with a higher-value product,” Martin says.
In addition to the obvious silver exterior to draw consumer attention on the retail shelf, the thermodynamic properties of the bottle keep the beer colder longer. Iron City’s aluminum packaging provides a rigid exterior, which is stronger than a standard beverage can and similar to glass. Marketers also have discovered the aluminum bottles offer a canvas for endless decorating possibilities, according to CCL’s Martin.
Introducing the new bottles into PBC’s operations involved fitting the filling line with special change parts for the diameter of the bottle as well as adding an x-ray fill checker that can see through aluminum. Although the new bottles resulted in added costs to the brewery, the packaging has created benefits for not only the company but also for brewery workers, according to Martin.
“The benefits include a greatly reduced scrap rate since the bottles will not break as they are handled throughout the process. A special smaller case pack also was created without cardboard partitions because the bottles will not break during transport,” or on the bottling line, which employees appreciate, Martin adds.
Package draws attention
So far, the launch of the aluminum bottle line has been a success beyond the Pittsburgh Brewing Co.’s expectations, according to Joe Piccirilli, Pittsburgh Brewing’s vice chairman.  
Before introducing the packaging, PBC’s target market was male consumers from 35 to 55 years old. The new packaging is credited with attracting a new, younger category of consumers without an expensive marketing campaign.
“For us to be in that category [of younger consumers] against our competitors would take hundreds of millions of dollars in marketing,” Piccirilli says. “The media attention [was the biggest surprise of the launch], not only in the United States but also abroad.”
The packaging innovation news appeared in the media in countries such as Brazil, Bangkok, Germany and Canada. Close to 19 million American viewers saw the bottle on major network television as well, according to Piccirilli. Additionally, as many as 900 major news publications across the country covered the new package.
Iron City aluminum bottle basics
Bottle type:
Impact extruded aluminum. Crown finish, short neck and pry-off crown. All materials are recyclable.
Dimensions:
Height: 7.68 inches
Diameter: 2.32 inches
Weight: 1.72 ounces (empty); 15.34 ounces (filled)
Lettering:
Dry offset printing process. Brushed aluminum finish with three colors and gloss overvarnish.
Packaging:
Available in 24-pack cases, or single, 12-ounce bottles at select bars and restaurants. 

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla shakes

    Classic flavors provide reliable, consistent results for beverage-makers

    Classic flavors of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry...
    Ingredient Spotlight
    By: Chloe Alverson
  • Free Spirits Instant Bar Bundle

    Lifestyle trends drive growth for non-alcohol category

    As lifestyle trends continue to drive growth for the...
    Wine & Spirits
    By: Lauren Sabetta
  • Younger generation displays unique habits when it comes to beverage consumption

    Generation Z shakes things up in beverage

    Experts share that Gen Z is changing the standard on what...
    Beverage News
    By: Chloe Alverson
Subscribe For Free!
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Beverage Industry audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Beverage Industry or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Fourpeople toasting with cocktails made with low-sugar ingredients, celebrating healthier drink options.
    Sponsored byCargill

    What’s Hot in Sugar Reduction: Beverages

  • chocolate milk
    Sponsored byCargill

    Sweetening the Future for Dairy and Dairy-Alternative Beverages

  • woman pouring a drink
    Sponsored byFFP

    Building a Beverage System: Meeting Consumer Demand for Precision Wellness

Popular Stories

Anheuser-Busch Brewing Futures

Anheuser-Busch announces $300 million investment in US manufacturing

PepsiCo + poppi

PepsiCo completes acquisition of poppi

Alani Nu

Alani Nu surpasses $1 billion in retail sales

Vote for your favorite new product

Have your say in what makes it to the top this month!
Vote for your favorite new product and help us celebrate excellence.


VOTE NOW!

Events

April 16, 2025

2025 State of the Industry Series: Alcoholic Beverages

On Demand In Beverage Industry’s annual State of the Industry: The Alcohol Beverage Market, analysts at S&D Insights LLC delve into these trends and how they’re shaping the industry.

June 5, 2025

Heat-Resistant Molds 101: Fundamentals and Prevention Strategies for Better Beverage Quality

Learn about the spoilage challenges and operational bottlenecks that ascospores can pose to your quality program if detection is delayed, or worse – not detected at all. Subject matter experts will cover the basics of these bugs and real-world impacts of insufficient quality methods to help you beat the heat … resistant mold.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Retail Coffee Segment

What retail coffee segments will fare well into the next year?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

Milk and Dairy Foods Nutrition, Processing and Healthy Aging

Milk and Dairy Foods Nutrition, Processing and Healthy Aging

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Table of Contents

    See More
×

Elevate your expertise in the beverage marketplace with unparalleled insights and connections.

Join thousands of beverage professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing