A Canadian brewer has opted for an innovative six-pack carrier carton with retractable handle to help draw attention to its line of craft beers.
Les Brasseurs of West Shefford Brewing Company opted for the PaperWorks Industries design as a departure from the glass bottles used by many craft brewers. In marketing its beers in aluminium cans, the Quebec-based craft brewer hoped to be able to provide consumers with easily portable craft brews that can be enjoyed in both traditional locations and venues where glass is not always convenient – enhanced by the pull-out case handle.
Because the six-pack carrier would be subjected to a wet brewery environment, it was also important that the paperboard selected would not fail in high-moisture conditions. Additionally, traditional, one-piece beer bottle cartons would not work since the fixed handle prevents stacking on pallets or at retail, the company said.
PaperWorks designers developed a two-piece carton – featuring an auto-bottom base and a separate die-cut handle – made from 26 point solid unbleached sulfate. The carton base which holds the 355ml beer cans is easily erected by pulling open the previously glued and die-cut structure, allowing the base and the can partitions to fall into position.
A spokesperson for Les Brasseurs of West Shefford Brewing Company said: “Both the structural design and the caliper thickness provide the performance strength required to lift the six pack via the carrying handle. The handle’s ability to slide back down into the middle of the carton, also delivers the stacking attributes that the company desired.
“Additionally, the separate handle gives the company flexibility to alter promotional messaging without having to also reproduce the carton.”
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024