Beer-drinking may be a timeless human experience, but that fact hasn't stopped world's biggest names in brewing from rethinking their packaging designs this year. The bottle-design brains at AB InBev and Miller Coors have kept their gears turning so far in 2013 with a variety of fresh rollouts.
Here are the six new beer packaging designs that caught our attention so far this year at Food Dive:
1. MILLER LITE'S NEW BOTTLE DESIGN
Miller Lite stressed the new contours of its necks when it pulled the curtain away from its new bottle, which hits bars and restaurants this summer. Testing showed that consumers "overwhelmingly preferred" the new update to standard bottles, according to Ryan Reis, a senior director at Miller Lite.
(Image credit: PR Newswire)
2. BUDWEISER'S BUDDY CUP
Budweiser Brazil took the initiative to try out a digital social experience for drinkers in South America with its new "Buddy Cup." The cups utiliize microchips and QR codes and enable Facebook-friending through the simple act of drinking together.
3. HEINEKEN'S INTERACTIVE BOTTLE
Heineken also made an attempt to up its bottles' onboard tech this year with an 8-bit microprocessor and an accelerometer. The design also uses lights that react to environmental factors and drinking activity.
4. BUDWEISER'S NEW BOW-TIE CAN
Budweiser put the squeeze on its traditional can form when it unveiled this fresh look that was visually inspired by the brand's logo. Notice that the cans only pack in 11.3 ounces instead of the more common 12 ounces of beer in Bud's other cans.
5. BUD LIGHT PLATINUM'S RECLOSEABLE ALUMINUM BOTTLE
The Bud Light Platinum brand will be piloting a new recloseable aluminum bottle this year in Las Vegas. Expect to see them sold nationwide later this year.
(Image credit: (PR Newswire)
6. BUD LIGHT'S VENTED CAN
Bud Light will try these vented cans out in Louisville, Ky., expanding to national sales later if all goes well. The new hole on the beer's 12-ounce cans is intended to streamline the drinking process.
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