Packaging
New Belgium Brewing Distributes Sunshine Wheat Beer in Aluminum Cans from Ball Corporation
Tuesday 28. April 2009 - New Belgium Brewing is packaging and distributing Sunshine Wheat in aluminum cans from Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) in Colorado this spring.
The 100 percent recyclable cans feature Sunshine Wheat’s original watercolor artwork with color twist to reflect a summery green and yellow, and are printed using Ball’s Eyeris(R) enhanced printing technology to best reproduce the intricate details of the graphic design.
A recent web poll conducted by New Belgium indicated that Sunshine Wheat, a filtered wheat beer, was in the top three favorites for the next canned New Belgium beer.
“People have been asking for a more portable Sunshine Wheat for awhile, so we’re excited to make this our second canned offering,” said Bryan Simpson, spokesperson for New Belgium. “Cans have many intrinsic benefits that New Belgium values; they are easily recyclable, transport lighter than glass and can be easily packed in and out when camping or enjoying the great outdoors.”
New Belgium, known for its commitment to quality and sustainability, installed its first canning line in 2008 and began rolling out Fat Tire in cans last summer. Ball manufactures cans for New Belgium at its Golden, Colo., beverage can plant and received in April the Best First-Time Reporter award for sustainability reporting from Ceres and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Ball’s Eyeris enhanced printing technology brings improved definition and fine detail to beverage can graphics to create premium, on-shelf differentiation. It is particularly effective for reproducing high resolution/photographic quality images such as fruit, vegetables, water, ice and people. The process uses up to six colors, is available for any beverage can size Ball manufactures in North America and is compatible with all filling processes including retort.
New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of Fat Amber Ale and other Belgian-inspired beers, began operations in a tiny Fort Collins basement in 1991. Today, the third largest craft brewer in the U.S., New Belgium produces seven year-round beers; Fat Tire Amber Ale, Sunshine Wheat, Blue Paddle Pilsner, 1554 Black Ale, Abbey, Mothership Wit and Trippel, as well as a host of seasonal releases. In addition to producing world-class beers, New Belgium takes pride in being a responsible corporate role model with progressive programs such as employee ownership, open book management and a commitment to environmental stewardship.