In time for spring, Heineken USA introduced an 8.5-ounce slim can format. Twelve-packs of these new slim cans began rolling out at retail outlets across the country this month. Citing Nielsen data, Heineken Brand Director Belen Pamukoff said in a statement that the 8- to 8.9-ounce can sizes grew 356 percent in case volume and 522 percent in dollar volume for 2012 and now represent an 8.2 million case segment. He added that 42 percent of that growth is generated in the convenience channel, where the 8-ounce can format is outpacing all other sizes and is a preferred pack size among ethnic consumers, according to Nielsen data. “We are excited to now offer shoppers Heineken 8.5-ounce slim cans, the first premium 8.5-ounce format that caters to the growing Hispanic and African-American demographic who prefer upscale beer and Heineken to mainstream counterparts,” he said in a statement.