All-Star packaging

Following up on its limited release in February, Sparkling Ice’s Orange Mango Kevin Durant bottle will be available while supplies last nationwide beginning in January. Proceeds from the sales of the special-edition bottle will go toward Kevin Durant’s Charity Foundation (KDCF): “Build It And They Will Ball” Courts Renovation Initiative. The charitable program aims to increase the number of high-quality basketball courts accessible to underprivileged youth across the Unites States and internationally, the company says. The first three locations benefiting from this collaboration are Oklahoma City, Washington, D.C., and Berlin, Germany.

Collaboration artwork

Tröegs Independent Brewing revealed new art for its handcrafted beers. The hand-drawn artwork was a collaboration between co-owners Chris and John Trogner and designer Lindsey Tweed. The trio worked closely together to create the new look, which includes reimagining some of the brewery’s most iconic figures like the Tröegenator, it says. The new designs are reminiscent of the artwork that Tröegs fans know and love, but better reflect the brewery’s independence and personality, the company says. The new art includes signature elements like the new die-cut Tröegs logo on the bottle and “Handcrafted by the Tröegs Brothers” on the neck. The new artwork and packaging is available at the brewery and in retail stores. “The art shows our love of the process and — most importantly — our love of beer,” said John Trogner, brewmaster and co-owner of Tröegs Independent Brewing, in a statement. “The simple logos and hand-drawn fonts capture how we brew, and the artwork conveys what’s inside the bottle.”

Signature design

To help kickoff the new NBA season, Mtn Dew released limited-edition cans of its original Mountain Dew and Mountain Dew Code Red, which were inspired by Dew athlete and Oklahoma City Thunder Point Guard Russell Westbrook. Both cans, which were created by design firm Natural, feature Westbrook’s signature red glasses. The new cans launched nationwide Oct. 12 and will be available while supplies last.

Open Mike

Mike Hess Brewing (MHB) introduced its Open Mike beer can, making it the only brewery in California to use Crown Holdings Inc.’s patented 360 End technology, the company says. The pull-tab removes the entire top end of the can, effectively turning the can into an instant pint glass. As an added bonus, Open Mike ends use 10 percent less aluminum than other ends, the company says. “We could not be more excited to debut this breakthrough can design,” said the brewery’s founder Mike Hess in a statement. “For outdoor enthusiasts like me, Open Mike lets us experience the beer wherever we go, whether that’s at the beach or pool deck, stadium parking lot, or anywhere in the great outdoors and without the disadvantage of a standard can’s small opening. Craft beer, technology and the active lifestyle come together quite nicely here.” In addition to the Open Mike cans, MHB introduced its flagship 16-ounce canned beers in boxed six-packs available wherever Mike Hess beers are sold, including Southern California and the greater Phoenix, Ariz., markets.

Eighty years in the making

For the first time since the brand’s inception more than 80 years ago, Stoli Vodka revealed a completely redesigned bottle and packaging for the full range of Stolichnaya Premium Vodka products. The redesigned bottle features new elements that contemporize the brand for the millennial audience, while remaining true to Stoli’s longstanding heritage as an iconic vodka pioneer, the company says. In November, Stoli began rolling out the new design for the Stoli portfolio worldwide, including the flagship Stoli Vodka in the United States. Full distribution is anticipated for early 2016. The new packaging features a sleek bottle profile with a taller, more elegant bottle shape and an embossed brand “Stoli” logo on the neck, it says. The new design improves both pouring and control for bartenders with the use of anti-slip embossing on the neck and base, the company says. A new craft label texture and bold upgrade was made to the main Stolichnaya logo and subtle nuance details throughout the design better stand out to customers at point of purchase, it adds. The Stoli flavored products now are color-coded on the neck to match the flavor for easier on-shelf product identification. A revised premium paper front and back label also was added to highlight Stoli’s heritage and quality credentials including its qualification as a Certified Alpha Grade spirit, the highest quality level a spirit can reach, the company says.