W. Amsler introduces first handled 64-ounce PET barrier growler for craft beer

W. Amsler Equipment Inc., a Bolton, Ont.-based maker of all-electric linear PET stretch blow molding machines, has launched a new 64-ounce PET growler jug that mimics the competitive glass design and provides barrier protection for extended shelf life.

Introduced in mid-April at the Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America in Denver, the PET container is believed to be the first in the industry to include a handle and provide barrier protection.

In case you’re wondering, a growler is a jug commonly sold at breweries and brew pubs as a means to sell take-out craft beer. The significant growth of craft breweries and the growing popularity of home brewing have also led to an emerging market for the sale of growlers.

The amber PET container is manufactured by W. Amsler at its Bolton facility on behalf of packaging solutions provider JMS International Packaging Inc. on a W. Amsler all-electric linear series stretch blow molder. The PET barrier container weighs 106 grams versus 1.2 kg for the glass version, which results in reduced shipping costs. “It’s also event-friendly, unbreakable, and 100 per cent recyclable,” said Heidi Amsler, the company’s sales and marketing manager.

The growler was designed by W. Amsler with standard preforms supplied by Preform Solutions Inc., of Sioux Falls, S.D. The PET growlers have a flat champagne base rather than a carbonated base design and withstand 15 psi of pressure.

For the Craft Brewers Conference, W. Amsler selected a barrier with a monolayer structure which includes a Sherwin Williams’ barrier additive. “The barrier prevents oxygen ingress and egress and loss of CO2, providing a 120-day shelf life compared to a shelf life of only 48 hours for standard PET growlers,” Amsler said. This monolayer barrier solution is compatible with existing recycling streams. The high-density polyethylene (HDPE) handle, designed by JMS International Packaging, is produced separately and attached to the container via a secondary process. The PET container comes with a 38-mm finish. The amber colour for the 64-ounce barrier bottle is supplied by Penn Color.

In the future, the JMS production bottles will be manufactured with a new patented PET plastic (PETB1) that has been developed by JMS International; the PETB1 material is said to offer the best barrier to CO2 plus oxygen egress and ingress on the market, is impact-resistant, has strong resistance to hot filling, and is much lighter than glass.

The PET plastic growlers are also available in a clear colour with or without barrier protection for ciders, craft sodas, craft cocktails, and liquor. Pressure-sensitive labels can be applied and a screen printing process can also be used.