New ‘Punch Top Cans’ are more like drinking from pilsner glass: Molson Coors

By Ben Bouckley

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Molson coors Coors brewing company

New ‘Punch Top Cans’ are more like drinking from pilsner glass: Molson Coors
Molson Coors has high hopes for its novel ‘Punch Top Can’ – rolled out across the US for Memorial Day – and favoured in consumer tests, and is also launching a special ‘Grip Can’ using tactile ink technology.

Miller Lite and Miller Genuine Draft 12oz and 16oz varieties will now be packaged in the Punch Top Can (pictured) as standard, where the innovation involves consumers piercing an additional hole in the top to increase airflow, with the firm promising a smoother pour.

“In our testing, consumers told us that they prefer the Punch Top Can three-to-one over the standard beer can because it’s more lie drinking from a pilsner glass,”​ Amy Breeze, director of innovation and activation for Miller Lite, said.

Tactile ink technology

Chicago-based Molson Coors said that its first Miller Lite 'Grip Cans' (pictured below) were launched in the US this spring, featured branding for Mexican soccer team Chivas de Guadalajara, while in the autumn the cans will feature NFL branding.

Lite_24oz_Chivas_back

Molson Coors spokesman Scott Bussen told BeverageDaily.com: "The cans feature a special combination of ink and overvarnish that creates a tactile feel.  We did some initial limited testing last year."

He added: "In addition to the distinctive design, the Grip Cans have a feel unlike the typical beer can.  For example, the football cans this fall will have the feel of a football.  It is not intended to help the consumer actually grip the can better; the intent is to give the consumer a special connection to the brand by providing a memorable experience through design."

On the beer side, March saw Molson Coors launch its first ever Coors Light line extension. Coors Light Iced T fuses beer with tea botanicals and natural lemon added during the filtration process.

Molson Coors is keen to tap a US thirst for ready-to-drink (RTD) that it identified as a “major grocery trend”​ with more than 1,500 new products introduced onto the US market since 2000.

“Coors Light Iced T adds a new twist to the trend through its unique combination of refreshing flavour, perfect for consumers seeking the ultimate in refreshment this summer," ​the firm said.

'Aluminium pint' production issues

Other innovations include an ‘aluminium pint’ bottle for Coors Light, Coors Banquet, Miller Genuine Draft and Molson Canadian that can be resealed after opening, and is designed for outdoor occasions: picnics, campsites, park visits were examples the company gave.

"The Coors Light pint was initially in market for a period in 2010, but we ended production at the time while resolving some production-related issues.  After resolving the issues to our full satisfaction, we began a phased roll-out last fall, culminating in full national availability of the Coors Light Silver Bullet Aluminum Pint by March of this year,"​ Bussen said.

Molson Coors said that innovation had delivered more than $100m (€79.8m) of incremental gross profit to the firm, and also referenced major recent UK and Ireland launches, including limited addition, low alcohol citrus larger Carling Zest, which the company announced last Friday was now available on draught in UK pubs.

Also announced on April 12, Worthington’s seasonal varieties will be rolled-out in concert with the seasons. The first such launch is Spring Shield, available until the end of May.

Spring Shield is described as a ‘light golden, citrusy brew with a hint of wheat malt’, and Summer Shield,Autumn Shield and Winter Shieldlaunches are planned.

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2 comments

maybe we'll eventually go back to the way it was

Posted by jack morgan,

i remember old pepsi and coke cans 20 years ago had two holes, one to drink out of and one for ventilation. seems like the same idea, only less convenient.

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Guys doing for the environment and liking it.

Posted by Keith Richard Radford Jr,

Punch top seems to be the best because if you go to the best bars in Europe, USA. Anywhere on earth the best beer always is on tap, and when it is pored it is pored the tap way making the lest disturbance in delivery which makes the beer hold its head up and it's natural taste come through.

More than this the process of recycling is aided in the fact the cap is the same as the body of the dispenser and the cost of recycling is offset in the process which show less metal is more efficient and makes for a better can.

All beer should come in such cans and the trinket designers could be making key bobs or cap top can openers or bringing back the old P-38 with a twist, what ever floats your boat but this is revolutionary in design.

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