Packaging Advice and Innovations in 2014

As the New Year draws near, the Craft Brewing Business team reflects on the year that was. Here are some of the best packaging-related features and notable news items that we posted to the site in 2014. 

10 packaging tips from famous craft brewers and expert manufacturers

July 22, 2014
The science of commercial beer goes beyond the chemistry of brewing. The process of packaging it is an equally impressive engineering feat, requiring bottling, canning, kegging, labeling, sorting, accumulating, boxing, … Read More

Automated craft beer packaging: Boulevard Brewing case study

May 21, 2014
Growing craft breweries need to straddle a line between their local heritage and a modern, scalable, nationwide operation. Each batch requires care and a hands-on approach for even the largest … Read More

Climax Packaging profiles craft brewery packaging equipment

October 24, 2014
Craft beer makers have experienced huge jumps in market share while the overall beer market size has shrunk. The Census Bureau announced that the number of breweries in the United … Read More

Sharing kegs reduces a brewery’s carbon footprint, new study says

October 14, 2014
We’ve written about the shared-asset keg management concept previously. Recently, a study by John Heckman, Ph.D with PE International and commissioned by MicroStar Logistics, showed that by sharing a pool of … Read More

SweetWater revamps glass packaging, adds bottle conditioning process

August 13, 2014
SweetWater Brewing Co. is revamping its bottles inside and out. The Georgia-based brewery announced earlier this week that it will debut a fresh look for its glass packaging, complemented by … Read More

Packaging Equipment Reviewed: Conveying systems and accumulation tables

February 25, 2014
Getting beer to bottle is not as easy as it seems. Automated packaging requires transit — conveying, merging, diverting, picking, placing, transferring, orienting, stacking and every other gerund in between. … Read More

LabelVision gives instant visual access to 1.6 million alcohol beverage labels

August 6, 2014
With the launch of ShipCompliant’s new LabelVision tool, the entire database of 1.6 million approved alcohol beverage labels dating back to 1995 is now accessible and searchable. LabelVision can investigate … Read More

Gordon Biersch celebrates 25 years, unveils new packaging

September 4, 2014
As Gordon Biersch Brewing Co. continues celebrating its 25th anniversary, the company recently unveiled a new look for its collection of heritage, German-style craft beers with updated bottles and box … Read More

Dogfish Head works with famed rock poster artist for new labels, screen prints

March 3, 2014
You might not know the name Jermaine Rogers, but you might know his work (especially if you like good music). He’s one of the luminaries of the modern art category … Read More

Top Causes of Leaky Kegs

May 1, 2014
To avoid keg leaks, all you really need is vigilance throughout your keg cleaning, filling and distribution process. A small misalignment in a filling line, or an undetected scratch can … Read More

Read the 120-year history of packaging experts Standard-Knapp

November 17, 2014
Craft brewers know the name Standard-Knapp for its high-tech packaging and processing equipment — case packers, case sealers, pick-and-place modules, bottle handlers and beyond. But the innovative and modern machinery maker … Read More

White Labs rolls out new PurePitch packaging

September 11, 2014
White Labs has begun shipping to brewers one of the top-selling White Labs’ yeast strains, the WLP001 California Ale Yeast, in the new PurePitch packaging. Along with utilizing the new … Read More

Five keys to choosing the right can and can supplier for your craft beer

With the craft canning industry hitting a high point, Craft Brewing Business decided to sit down with Thiel and Crown to discuss the evolving can packaging market, detailing these five important tips and trends that craft brewers should consider when choosing a particular can, can design and can supplier. … Read More

Micro Matic’s ‘New Generation Spear’ ups hygiene, safety of kegs

April 22, 2014
Micro Matic debuted its “New Generation Spear” while at the 2014 Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America in Denver, which the company says has three key improvements over other spears … Read More