Maya Ellison
Beer is typically sold in glass bottles or aluminium cans. However, some name brand beers are sold in plastic bottles or cups, especially at large events where glass may not be allowed. For example, during the 2012 Olympic Games, Heineken sold over a million plastic bottles of beer. In the same year, MillerCoors also saw a 4-to-1 consumer preference for plastic bottles over glass in test markets. Some of the reasons why beer is not usually sold in plastic include the fact that plastic is more porous than glass, which can cause the beer to go flat faster and change the flavour. Plastic bottles are also not suitable for pasteurization and can contain harmful chemicals such as antimony and bromine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name brand beers that sell in plastic bottles | Miller Lite, Miller Genuine Draft, Icehouse, Miller High Life, Keystone Ice, Steel Reserve, Mickey’s, Milwaukee’s Best, Milwaukee’s Best Ice, Olde English 300, Olde English HG800, Magnum, Heineken |
| Plastic bottle size | 20-oz, 32-oz, 40-oz, 1-L |
| Benefits of plastic bottles | Shatter-proof, reduced carbon footprint, more masculine and ergonomic design, lightweight |
| Concerns with plastic bottles | Beer can go flat, adverse health effects due to leaching of antimony and bromine, cannot be pasteurized, beer is susceptible to skunking if not stored in a light-filtering bottle |
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What You'll Learn
MillerCoors sells beer in plastic bottles
MillerCoors, the Chicago-based brewer, has introduced plastic bottles for its 32- and 40-ounce beers, reducing the weight of each bottle by 1 pound. The rollout of plastic bottles across three of MillerCoors' five sales regions is the biggest for any brewer. The company has stated that the new packaging will bring several benefits, including a 20%-30% reduction in its carbon footprint, a shatter-proof bottle, and a more masculine, ergonomic design.
MillerCoors' decision to switch to plastic bottles is a notable move, as plastic bottles are still relatively uncommon among brewers, despite their widespread use in the soft drink and spirits industries. The company's marketing manager, Anna Tsurkis, attributed the change to a "dearth of innovation in economy brands." MillerCoors' largest competitor, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA of Belgium, has also expressed interest in targeting price-minded consumers with larger-format beers.
MillerCoors' plastic bottles are expected to retain the retail price of $1.50 to $2.30 each, a range that was well-received by consumers in a 2012 test. The company's revenue for 2013 grew by 0.5% to $7.8 billion, and its new plastic bottles are expected to further enhance its market position. However, some concerns have been raised about the potential impact on brand image, as consumers may associate plastic with inexpensive or lower-quality beer.
MillerCoors' adoption of plastic bottles addresses the challenge of keeping beer carbonated and fresh in plastic packaging. The company's plastic bottles are designed with a multilayer barrier polymer liner that prevents oxygen from entering and carbon dioxide from escaping, ensuring the beer stays fresh for up to four months. This innovation positions MillerCoors at the forefront of packaging pioneers in the American brewing industry.
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Heineken has sold beer in plastic bottles at events
Heineken's use of plastic bottles was also aligned with their commitment to environmental issues. Plastic bottles are shatterproof, lightweight, reclosable, and safer than glass, making them convenient for consumers at public venues like sporting events or concerts. The plastic packaging allows for more complex and attractive bottle designs, enhancing the brand's marketing efforts.
However, it's important to note that Heineken's transition to plastic bottles has faced some challenges. As of June 2020, the company was still working on perfecting a reliable plastic bottle that maintains the quality and freshness of the beer. Beer tends to go flat in plastic bottles due to the porosity of the plastic, and there are also concerns about the leaching of chemicals like antimony and bromine into the beverage.
While Heineken's initiative to adopt plastic bottles for specific events has been well-received, the company continues to balance environmental considerations and consumer expectations regarding the traditional glass bottle or aluminum can packaging for beer.
Overall, Heineken's decision to sell beer in plastic bottles at events demonstrates their willingness to innovate and adapt to different situations, prioritizing safety, convenience, and environmental sustainability.
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Plastic bottles are not good at keeping beer carbonated
Plastic bottles are rarely used for beer, and this is partly due to the fact that they are not good at keeping beer carbonated. Beer tends to lose its carbonation and become stale in plastic bottles, whereas soda does not. This is because the molecular structure of most plastics is not good at keeping carbonation in the package or product, or at keeping oxygen out to prevent staling.
Chuck Skypeck, the director of technical brewing projects at the Brewers Association, has stated that "plastic is simply not a good package for beer". He explains that "both cans and glass are superior packages in regards to delivering beer to consumers with the freshness and carbonation levels that the brewer intends for the consumer to experience".
The porous nature of plastic bottles means that they can shorten the shelf life of beer. Beer can go flat much faster in plastic bottles, and oxygen can get into the beer, which would oxidize it and change the flavor. In addition, plastic bottles are not heat-resistant and can warp with heat, so they cannot be pasteurized like glass bottles and aluminum cans.
Despite these drawbacks, some breweries do use plastic bottles for their beer. For example, MillerCoors offers several of its economy beer brands in 32- and 40-ounce plastic bottles, including Miller High Life, Keystone Ice, and Steel Reserve. Heineken also used plastic PET bottles for the first time during the London 2012 Summer Olympics, for security purposes. In some parts of the world, certain beers are more commonly packaged in plastic bottles, including brands that traditionally only come in glass or aluminum in the US.
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Plastic bottles can cause beer to taste bad
Plastic bottles can cause beer to go flat and taste bad. Beer is usually sold in glass bottles or aluminium cans, with plastic bottles being a rare option. This is because the plastic commonly used in bottling soda and other beverages is porous, allowing carbonation to escape and oxygen to enter the bottle, causing the beer to go flat and stale. Glass and aluminium cans, on the other hand, are almost impermeable, providing a seal that maintains the beer's freshness, carbonation, and intended taste for longer.
Another reason why plastic bottles are not commonly used for beer is the potential for chemicals to leach into the beverage. Plastic bottles, especially PET bottles, contain antimony, a metalloid that can be mistaken for lead. Exposure to antimony can cause adverse health effects, including irritation of the respiratory passages, palpitation, gastrointestinal disorders, and even cancer. During delivery and storage, beer can be exposed to extreme temperatures, which may activate the antimony and result in unknown consequences. In addition to antimony, bromine can also leach into PET bottles, causing similar health issues.
Pasteurization is a crucial process in the beverage industry, but PET bottles cannot be pasteurized due to their heat-sensitive nature. Glass bottles and aluminium cans are heat-resistant, ensuring that the beer can undergo pasteurization without warping the container. Producing heat-resistant plastic bottles is possible, but the increased cost is often a deterrent for companies, who may have to absorb the expense or pass it on to consumers.
While plastic bottles may offer advantages in terms of shatter-resistance and reduced carbon footprint, the impact on taste and potential health risks associated with chemicals like antimony and bromine are significant drawbacks. As a result, glass bottles and aluminium cans remain the preferred choices for beer packaging, ensuring taste preservation, quality, and safety.
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Plastic bottles are not suitable for pasteurisation
Beer is typically sold in bottles, cans, or served from the tap. However, beer is rarely sold in plastic bottles, with glass bottles and aluminium cans being the most common mediums. This is because the plastic commonly used in bottling soda and other beverages is porous, causing beer to go flat over time. Glass and aluminium are almost impermeable, providing the seal that beer requires to remain viable for longer.
Nevertheless, there have been instances of beer being sold in plastic bottles. For example, during the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Heineken sold over a million bottles of beer in plastic PET bottles as the official alcohol sponsor of the games. This was primarily for security purposes, as providing breakable glass bottles to rowdy crowds could be dangerous. In the UK, it is mandatory to serve drinks in plastic bottles, and Heineken has expressed intentions to move in this direction for environmental reasons. MillerCoors has also introduced several of its economy beer brands in plastic bottles, including Miller High Life, Keystone Ice, and Steel Reserve.
Despite these instances, plastic bottles are generally not suitable for beer due to the risk of it going flat, as well as the potential for adverse health effects. Plastic bottles, especially PET bottles, contain antimony, which can leach into the drinks. Antimony can cause irritation of the respiratory passages, palpitation, and gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach ulcers. It has also been linked to cancer. Additionally, bromine can leach into PET bottles, causing skin, mucous membrane, and tissue irritation, with exposure to its derivatives also associated with cancer.
Furthermore, plastic bottles are not suitable for pasteurisation, a critical process in maintaining the freshness and safety of beverages like beer. Pasteurisation involves subjecting the bottles to high temperatures, typically around 87-90 degrees Celsius, for a significant duration. Plastic bottles, particularly PET bottles, are not heat-resistant and can warp, shrink, and develop holes when exposed to high temperatures. This is due to the heat and pressure differential compared to the surrounding plastic, causing the plastic to become elastic and deform. Therefore, alternative packaging materials like glass and metal are preferred for pasteurisation.
While there may be heat-resistant plastics that can withstand pasteurisation, they are more expensive to produce, impacting both the company and the customer. Additionally, plastic bottles may be harder to recycle than glass bottles or aluminium cans, presenting further challenges for sustainability. Therefore, while plastic bottles offer advantages in certain situations, such as improved safety and reduced carbon footprint, they are not ideal for pasteurisation and present challenges in terms of beer quality, health concerns, and environmental impact.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic bottles are rarely used for beer because beer tends to go flat in plastic bottles. This is because the plastic used for bottling soda and other beverages is porous, allowing carbonation to escape. Glass and aluminum are almost impermeable, giving the beer a longer shelf life.
Glass bottles and aluminum cans are heavier than plastic bottles, which affects transportation costs. Glass bottles can also be dangerous in certain settings, like sports games, where drunk fans could use them as weapons.
Plastic bottles are cheaper to produce, easier to transport due to their lightweight, and shatter-proof. They also have a lower carbon footprint than glass bottles.
Heineken has used plastic bottles for their beer in the past, such as during the London 2012 Summer Olympics. MillerCoors also offers some of its economy beer brands, such as Miller High Life and Keystone Ice, in 32- and 40-ounce plastic bottles.
