Anniversary redesign

In celebration of its 153rd anniversary, Bacardi announced the first packaging update to its rum line in more than a decade. Each new bottle of light and dark rums from the portfolio features its own unique printer’s ornament, a brief story about the Bacardi family, and a simple taste description and serving suggestion on the back. In addition, all paper labels are made from recycled cane fiber, a by-product of the rum-making process, the company says. Designed in consultation with some of the world’s leading bartenders, the new bottle has been created to ensure it is well balanced in order to produce the perfect pour, it says. It is taller, slimmer and more cylindrical, with broad shoulders reminiscent of the more classic style of bottles, it adds.

Canning Ice

Talking Rain Beverage Co. added 8-ounce slim cans to its Sparkling Ice packaging offerings. The cans will be available in eight-count fridge packs in four different flavors: Orange Mango, Black Raspberry, Cherry Limeade and Kiwi Strawberry. The new slim-can packaging will give the brand new distribution opportunities within the convenience and foodservice industries, two major focus areas for the brand as it continues to grow, the company says. Sparkling Ice eight-count fridge packs are available nationwide at select retailers including Walmart, Kroger, Target, Publix, Albertson’s and more for a suggested retail price of $5.99.

Serving those who served

Crown Beverage Packaging North America is once again helping to make Memorial Day memorable for members of the U.S. military, veterans and their families for the second year. The company will be a national sponsor of Hops for Heroes’ 2015 Homefront IPA program and will donate cans, graphics work for can printing, and freight for shipping so that the 10 participating craft breweries can produce their own unique versions of Homefront IPA for mutual release parties, events and local accounts. All funds raised will be donated Soldiers’ Angels, which provides aid and comfort to men and women of the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. Homefront IPA will be released on Memorial Day, May 25.

Going green

OneCoffee released its new 99 percent compostable single-serve coffee pods to offer consumers coffee in an eco-friendly package. OneCoffee is made with premium 100 percent Arabica, certified-organic and Fair Trade coffee beans and is available in the following dark- and medium-roast varieties: Breakfast Blend, Colombian Blend, French Roast, Sumatran Blend and Decaf. OneCoffee is suitable for use in K-Cup-compatible coffee makers, such as Keurig, Cuisinart or Hamilton Beach single-cup beverage makers. The company hopes to develop a 100 percent compostable single-serve pod in
the future, it says.

Breaking tradition

Responding to strong consumer demand, Saint Arnold Brewing Co. started rolling out cans of the craft brewery’s two top-selling year-round beers — Saint Arnold Fancy Lawnmower and Santo. Saint Arnold recently completed installing its canning line, which features a 20-head filler and can package up to 160 cans a minute. In April, Saint Arnold Summer Pils became the first of the brewery’s popular seasonal varieties to be offered in cans.

Putting a cap on it

 Chaddsford Winery updated the packaging for its Chaddsford Hard Cider to reflect the latest technology in caps and closures. The company added a new “fizz” screw-cap liner from ACI Cork USA to bottles of the hard cider. This packaging update helps to maintain the cider’s fresh, crisp flavors and offer easy opening and re-closing for consumers.