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Monday, June 16, 2008

Update on Steam Whistle Cans

Back on March 6th, I broke the news about Steam Whistle going to 500ml cans and that would be released by June 1, right at the start of unofficial beer season.

Well June 1st has come and gone and there has been no sight of them at the LCBO or Beer Store yet, and members of Bar Towel are wondering why. "Any word on the canned Steam Whistle? According to a brewery press release (posted on Troy Burtch's blog a few months back), the beer was supposed to be out June 1 at the very latest. Yet still no sign of it. Anyone heard anything?"

Here is Steam Whistle's response.
A general strike in Brazil has delayed the production and shipment of our canning filler so we have been delayed by several weeks. The cans themselves are here and the majority of the canning line is in place waiting for the arrival of the filler. We do not have a firm date unfortunately.
Hopefully it will be sorted out soon as Steam Whistle on the dock at the cottage is good times all around.

8 comments:

the coelacanth said...

Thanks for the update Troy - I'm the one who posted the inquiry on BT and I'm grateful to recieve such a prompt and thorough reply. Thanks again!
-Joe

Troy Burtch said...

Hey Joe - not a problem. I'm looking forward to the cans as well.

Troy

Anonymous said...

I don't mean to sound cranky but what is the big deal about Steam Whistle in can format? Is it the weight issue or the recycling possibility? I've heard some buzz about it and I just don't get it. I can recognize it makes some great business sense for the brewery but as for the consumer I don't really see why all the excitement.

Plus wasn't the fact that Steamwhistle used thicker retro stlyed bottles part of their marketing appeal coupled with their suitcase style cases?

Don't get me wrong it's a nice looking can but I can wait.

Troy Burtch said...

Anonymous - I don't know if I would call it a big deal, but an interesting one.

A lot of people started out with Steam Whistle (myself included) and having the option of grabbing a couple of tall boys for the cottage or after a ball game appeals to me. It will also be a good tool getting the Stella, Heineken, Becks, Tubourg drinkers to try it out.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, that is why the beer culture is so great. To you Steam Whistle may not be anything special, but to beginners it might be gold. This blog tries to capture 'every' beer drinker. And because Steam Whistle started me out on my 'better' beer drinking ways, I have developed a soft spot for them.

Anonymous said...

You missed the point of my post. I am a rather big fan of Steam Whistle. The point I was making was that I was confused as to why there was so much interest in the new can format.

Like I said in the post I can understand why they are doing it but I found it interesting, confusing and maybe even amusing that it was getting the amount of attention that it was. Especially since so much of Steam Whistle's prior marketing revolved around the bottle format.

I am all for beer in cans but I don't think it sways many people either way. I am aware of the formats positives such as all but eliminating light struck beer and being possibly more portable among others. But I don't think someone sees it in the store and thinks they should try it because it is in a can like Heineken or Stella.

Once again I want to restate that I believe Steam Whistle makes excellent beer and that it was the attention the can format was receiving that had me puzzled.

Teena in Toronto said...

Will it taste the same?!

Troy Burtch said...

It sure will Teena!

Anonymous said...

2.70 per can. wow.

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