Topped with a bow

Anheuser-Busch’s Budweiser brand introduced a bowtie-shaped aluminum can that mirrors Budweiser’s iconic bowtie logo. The new bowtie-shaped can is available in eight-packs on store shelves nationwide. “This can is incomparable, like nothing you’ve ever seen before,” said Pat McGauley, vice president of innovation for Anheuser-Busch, in a statement. “The world’s most iconic beer brand deserves the world’s most unique and innovative can. I think we have it here.” The proprietary can, in development since 2010, is available only in the United States and will not replace the traditional Budweiser can, the company says. To make the new can possible, Anheuser-Busch engineers needed to solve a number of technical challenges, and major equipment investments were required at Budweiser’s can-making facility in Newburgh, N.Y. Significant capital investments also were required to upgrade packaging lines at the Budweiser breweries in Los Angeles and Williamsburg, Va. — the first breweries with the capability to package this unique can innovation. An initial run of more than 10 million bowtie cans were produced in Newburgh through March 31 for the spring introduction. An additional 8 million cans were scheduled to be produced in April. Due to the can’s slimmer middle and sleek design, it holds 11.3 ounces of beer with 137 calories, approximately 8.5 fewer calories than a traditional 12-ounce can of Budweiser. The launch of the can is being supported with a marketing campaign that includes digital, print and TV advertising. It is available in grocery stores, super- markets, convenience stores and liquor stores.

Swirled design

PepsiCo introduced a new bottle structure and label for its Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Next and Pepsi Max brands. The lower half of the bottle features a “swirled” structure, and the bottle also features an etched, grip-able bottom, according to a brand representative. “The new bottle’s swirl brings an edginess and playfulness that mirror brand attributes and its youthful spirit, and the etched, grip-able bottom allows consumers to have a more solid interaction with the bottle itself,” a Pepsi spokesperson said. The redesign will impact the brands’ 16- and 20-ounce single-serve plastic bottles. In addition, new 12-ounce glass bottles will be available in select stores. The package design was developed as the next step in the company’s “Live for Now” marketing campaign, which kicked off last spring.

Bright colors

Beringer Classic Wines released new bright, appetite-appealing packaging for the spring season, the company says. The color scheme was changed to incorporate pastel colors on the label. Varieties included in the changeover are Pinot Grigio, Moscato, Red Moscato, White Zinfandel and Sparkling White Zinfandel.

Action-packed release

In conjunction with the release of Square Enix’s action-adventure videogame “Tomb Raider,” Kick Energy, produced by Global Brands Ltd. in the U.K. and imported in the United States by Dolce Beverage Group LLC, released a limited-edition “Tomb Raider” can. The 8.4-ounce cans and four-packs have a quick-response code, which consumers can scan to access the “Tomb Raider” microsite and enter to win the grand prize of an adventure trip or one of 100 copies of “Tomb Raider.” Every “Tomb Raider” Kick Energy can purchased also will reward the consumer with free soundtrack downloads.

Custom complement

Fiji Water Co., part of the Roll Global LLC family of companies, launched a custom, reusable straw for its bottled water. Development for the Fiji Straw began after the company noticed several of its influential fans were using straws to sip the water on red carpets or concert stages. As a result, it created a dishwasher-safe, BPA-free straw that is built into the bottled water’s custom-made blue cap, designed for its 330- and 500-ml bottles. To use the straw, consumers can swap out the original Fiji bottle cap with the new Fiji cap and straw. The Fiji Straw is available on the brand’s website, fijiwater.com, for $9.95 for a six-pack.

Drinking vessel

With the launch of Helles Golden Lager, Sly Fox Brewing Co. utilized the 360 End beverage can technology developed by Crown Holdings Inc. The entire lid of the can is removable, turning it into a drinking vessel and eliminating the need for separate glassware. “This technology allows the full flavor and aroma of the beer to hit the drinker’s senses and makes the can an even more appealing package for outdoor activities and situations where you want to be able to move around and sip your beer easily,” said Brian O’Reilly, head brewer with Sly Fox Brewing Co. Sly Fox beer with the 360 End debuted at the Craft Brewers Conference in Washington, D.C., in March.

Anniversary set

Universal Music Canada and Crystal Head Vodka, the ultra-premium vodka founded by Dan Aykroyd, have joined forces with The Rolling Stones to create an exclusive, limited-edition Rolling Stones 50th anniversary gift set. “It is a huge honor and recognition of our high-quality product to have Crystal Head designated as the officially authorized vodka for the Rolling Stones 50th anniversary worldwide celebration,” Aykroyd said in a statement. “Together with Bravado, the band’s licensing company, we have created the ultimate gift package for Stones fans and their families. There has never been a greater Father’s Day gift, Halloween decoration or Christmas present. Anybody who loves the Stones or great vodka — and pretty much everyone I know loves both — will be all over this.” The following are included in the set: a handcrafted display case featuring a real zipper in recognition of the “Sticky Fingers” album cover; a two-disc CD compilation of live Rolling Stones hits; a crystal bottle decanter with The Rolling Stones iconic lip-and-tongue logo engraved at the top; and a bottle tattoo featuring the 50th anniversary logo.

Royal treatment

Oskar Blues Brewery has teamed up with can-maker Ball Corp. to offer its popular Mama’s Little Yella Pils in Ball’s Royal Pint, a 568-ml can. “The larger 568-ml can, or ‘Stovepipe’ as we call it, is a perfect package for Mama’s Little Yella Pils,” said Chad Melis, marketing director for Oskar Blues Brewery, in a statement. “With the success last year of Dale’s Pale Ale in the Royal Pint, putting the gently hopped and low-alcohol [5.3 percent alcohol by volume] Mama’s in the larger, easily recyclable can was a natural progression, and it allows our consumers to take it places glass can’t go.” The new Royal Pint will feature the same signature graphics as the Mama’s Little Yella Pils 12-ounce aluminum can but with the height of a 24-ounce can and the diameter of a 16-ounce can, according to the company.

A sparkling lineup

ThéBü, a subsidiary of Makana Beverages Inc., launched its new and improved line of sparkling kombucha organic teas with probiotics in glass bottles. The low-calorie, low-sugar beverages are available in Melon, Tangerine, Tropical and Lavender varieties. 

Hand-crafted and hand-canned

Wynkoop Brewing Co. now is self-distributing its fourth hand-canned craft beer: Belgorado Belgian-Style India Pale Ale. Belgorado is a golden beer featuring pale malt flavors, layers of hops from start to finish, and spice notes, the company says. With 6.7 percent alcohol by volume and 45 international bittering units, the beer is handcrafted and hand-canned at Wynkoop Brewing Co. on a table-top canning machine from Cask Brewing Systems. The variety is available in the Denver area in four-packs of 12-ounce cans with a suggested retail price of $7.49.

Answering the call

 Zevia, a zero-calorie soda, released its Cola, Cherry Cola, Cream Soda, Ginger Ale, Ginger Root Beer and Grape varieties in four-packs of 12-ounce glass bottles in the natural channel.