Arch Brewing Co., an independently owned craft brewery in Newmarket, Ontario, adopted this new lightweight, event-friendly plastic alternative. The beer container mimics the legacy glass design and provides barrier protection for extended shelf life. Arch Brewing will offer the PET growler as an event-safe alternative to its glass growler.
A growler is a jug-style container commonly sold at breweries and brew pubs as a means to sell take-out craft beer. The significant growth of craft breweries and the growing popularity of home brewing have also led to an emerging market for the sale of growlers.
The idea of using PET growlers was appealing right from the outset, according to Sue King, ownerof Arch Brewing. She noted that the shape, color, and look of the bottle were a close match to the traditional 1.9L glass growler bottle that is common in the industry.
“Growlers are a really big seller for us and we see an opportunity for growth with the people who love the 1.9L format, but shy away from it because glass isn’t welcome in all environments,” says King. “The craft brewing industry is about innovation and about trying new things so we’re proud to be on the cutting edge by offering PET growlers.”
The barrier prevents oxygen ingress and egress and loss of CO2,thus providing up to a 12-month shelf life versus 48 hours for standard PET growlers. This monolayer barrier solution is compatible with existing recycling streams.
W.Amsler, a supplier of all-electric linear PET stretch blow molders, was behind this container’s design and its first commercialization. The company has focused new resources and expanded its participation in the beer and spirits packaging market, providing market-entry assistance to customers like JMS International Packaging in the areas of design, development, and pre-production runs for this growler style. The growler features a high-density polypropylene (PP) handle, designed by JMS International Packaging, that is produced separately and attached to the container via a secondary process. The PET container can accept the same steel or plastic recloseable caps that are found on the glass growlers today.
“This is a major milestone for us in terms of cracking the craft beer industry,” says Marc Leblanc,owner of JMS International Packaging. Heidi Amsler, sales and marketing manager for W.Amsler, adds: “We’re excited about the future prospects of converting glass to PET and creating environmentally-friendly barrier packaging for the beer and spirits markets.”
All parties on the project see growth opportunity for glass conversion applications where barrier PET bottles have a strong fit due to their light weight and portability.The amber PET containeris manufactured by W.Amslerat its Bolton, Ontario, facility on behalf of JMS International Packaging on a W.Amsler all-electric, single-cavity linear series stretch blow molder. The PET barrier container weighs 106 grams versus 1.2 kg for the glass version, thus resulting in reduced shipping costs. It is also event-friendly, unbreakable, and 100% recyclable, according to the company.
“We’ve set a new benchmark in terms of shelf life and provided craft brewers a highly viable alternative to the standard glass container,” says Amsler. Unbreakable and portable PET growlers provide an entry into venues that do not allow glass because of the potential for breakage and other security requirements.
The container was designed with standard preforms supplied by Preform Solutions Inc., Sioux Falls, S.D. It incorporates a barrier with a monolayer structure which includes a Sherwin Williams’ barrier additive.The PET growlers are also available in a clear color with or without barrier protection for ciders, craft sodas, craft cocktails, and liquor. Custom growlers can be produced in different shapes, colors, and engraving. Pressure-sensitive labels can be applied and a screen-printing process can also be used.
