Caribbean spirit

3ZERO Ltd. introduced 3ZERO Platinum Blend Rum, a Caribbean white rum. 3ZERO Ltd. engaged the services and resources of Saxco International LLC to create a unique and attractive package with a bold and engaging eye appeal and a prominent shelf appearance, Saxco says. To get the project under way, Saxco sourced and supplied an extra flint 750-ml oval-shaped bottle with a long neck and round shoulders from Piramal Glass. Piramal also silk-screened the 3ZERO black logo type on the front of the bottle and provided the 12-bottle black shipping cartons with the 3ZERO logos in white. In addition, Saxco called upon J.C. Ribeiro to supply the black plastic natural cork top with the 3ZERO logo screen printed in a circle on the top. The natural cork was treated with a special white spirits wash to ensure that the taste of the product would remain fully preserved after bottling, it says. 3ZERO Ltd. provided its own black, white and silver foiled self-adhesive pressure-sensitive label, which wraps around the bottle.

‘Cane in a Can’

Cheerwine announced that it will introduce a four-pack of 12-ounce sleek cans launching in California for initial distribution on the West Coast. The new four-pack contains Cheerwine’s original real cane sugar formula packaged in contemporary 12-ounce aluminum slim line cans. This extension to the West Coast is a step toward Cheerwine’s mission to be available in all 50 states by its 100th anniversary in 2017, the company says. “We see many new trends in the beverage industry seeding in the West and moving quickly east. Our innovative packaging and vintage real cane sugar formula will resonate with consumers, many of whom will be introduced to the Cheerwine brand through this package, which is designed to break through the ‘sameness’ in soft drinks,” said Tom Barbitta, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Cheerwine, in a statement. “This regionally limited launch will be a testing ground for Cheerwine as we continue to grow nationally, which is something we know our dedicated fans are excited to see happen.” The sleek cans will be available at traditional food and specialty retail outlets. The Cheerwine four-pack has a suggested retail price ranging between $3.99 and $4.99.

Getting inked

Hartness-Inks announced a part-nership with New Belgium Brewing in which Hartness-Inks will supply ultraviolet (UV)-ink decorated bottles for the craft brewer’s Lips of Faith series. Hartness-Inks offers a UV-cured organic ink with superior adhesion and vibrant colors, it says. Hartness-Inks can be found on New Belgium specialty brands such as La Folie and the upcoming 2013 Lips of Faith series. 

‘Dream’ redesign

Mix1 Nutritional Shakes unveiled its newly packaged fruit-flavored shakes. This marks the return of some of Mix1’s most popular flavors — Mix Berry, Blueberry Vanilla and Lean Performance 90 Calorie Strawberry Banana — to the natural channel in 11-ounce Tetra Pak cartons that feature a resealable Dream Cap, the company says. Each flavor features corresponding fruit photography to convey increased taste and appetite appeal while maintaining the brand’s vibrant color scheme, it says. The front of the package communicates key product attributes such as natural ingredients, vitamins and minerals, protein, fiber and antioxidants. The resealable Dream Cap makes it easier for on-the-go consumption of Mix1 for breakfast, a snack or pre/post workout, the company adds. The 11-ounce Tetra Pak line of Mix1 Nutritional Shakes will be available at natural retailers and conventional grocery stores in the nutrition aisle. Whole Foods Market and King Soopers stores in the Rocky Mountain region will be among the first to have Mix1 on the shelves. Mix1’s Chocolate and Vanilla varieties, including Lean Performance 90 calorie Nutritional Shakes, will switch to the Tetra Pak/Dream Cap packaging in early 2013, the company says.

Compostable packaging

McCullagh Coffee introduced a compostable pack for its Rainforest Alliance-certified Ecoverde Coffee brand that uses cellulose-based NatureFlex from Innovia films. NatureFlex features inherent deadfold and anti-static properties, high gloss, and resistance to grease and oil. It also acts as a good barrier to gases, aromas and mineral oils and offers a wide heat-seal range, Innovia says. NatureFlex films are certified to meet the American ASTM D6400, European EN13432 and Australian AS4736 standards for compostable packaging and uses wood pulp sourced from managed plantations. The renewable biobased content of NatureFlex films typically is 95 percent by weight of material according to ASTM D6866, Innovia says.

Take six

Full Sail Brewing announced that it will release its Session Premium Lager and Session Black Lager in six-packs. Irene Frimat, Full Sail Brewing founder and chief executive officer, said in a statement that the company is excited to now offer the two varieties in six-packs.

Packaging gets ‘ReBorn’

Nestlé Waters North America’s (NWNA) Arrowhead 100% Mountain Spring Water brand introduced its 500-ml ReBorn bottle, made with 50 percent recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET), in the Eco-Shape bottle design. By producing the ReBorn bottle, the brand will save resources and use 15 percent less energy than it takes to produce bottles from all-new materials, according to the company. Given the widespread distribution and availability of the Arrowhead brand on the West Coast, this bottle will help to increase awareness and educate the public about the value of recycling, it adds. RPET plastic maintains the durability, safety and reusability of virgin PET and does not affect the taste or quality of the water, NWNA says.

Sleek can ‘feel’

Nurish Brands Inc. launched its new Feel Natural Energy sparkling energy drink in 10.5-ounce Rexam Sleek cans. Available in Raspberry Lemonade, Wild Berry and Mango Passionfruit varieties, Feel contains essential nutrients such as calcium, vitamins C and D as well as 85 mg of naturally occurring caffeine. Nurish Brands selected the Rexam 10.5-ounce Sleek cans because it offers the ideal portion size for the beverage and showcases the label’s graphics, Rexam says. “We put a lot of thought and energy into developing packaging that engages the consumer on an emotional, as well as a rational, level,” said Brian Turner, president and chief executive officer of Nurish Brands, in a statement. “And through our partnership with Rexam, we were able to launch in a package so remarkable that it’s already receiving accolades.”

Handcrafted look

Big design changes are happening at Lancaster Brewing Co. The brewer released its Winter Warmer Ale with a redesigned label. Accompaning the new label is a partnership with Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania. Lancaster Brewing is donating 25 cents from each case of Winter Warmer beer sales toward the nonprofit organization that cares for the more than 40 wolves at its 120-acre sanctuary located in Lititz, Pa. In addition to redesigning Winter Warmer’s label, Lancaster Brewing recently redesigned the labels for some of its flagship beers, including Strawberry Wheat, Milk Stout and Hop Hog, designed by Art Director Josh Weirich. “We essentially took elements of the old labels but introduced more of a handcrafted look. We wanted to emphasize the high quality of the beers and reflect it in the visual representation of their labels,” Weirich said in a statement.

Handmade bottles

Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky unveiled Old Pulteney 40 Year Old, the oldest official bottling in its line of single malts. A limited number of bottles will be available for purchase in the United States. Adding to its rarity, each bottle of 40 Year Old whisky is hand-blown with a silver “wave” effect that is created by melting solid silver and blowing inside the glass, the company says. Old Pulteney Distillery manager Malcolm Waring and Distillery Visitor Center manager Tanya Fraser hand-filled each bottle. The secondary packaging is a glass lacquered wooden gift box with an engraved silver herring drifter brand logo. The box also contains a hand-signed book written by whisky expert Charlie MacLean. The Old Pulteney 40 Year Old has limited availability at a retail price of $2,400.